Chrysler thinks $2.99/gallon is good, guarantees it to new buyers for 3 years
Ever hear of Pricelock? It's a service for fleet operators to purchase gas in bulk at a set price to buffer the company budget from rising fuel fluctuations. Chrysler thinks that new car buyers should be able to participate as well, through the company's new "Let's Refuel America Gas Card."
Chrysler announced a three-year $2.99 price guarantee on fuel costs to anyone who buys a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle between tomorrow and June 2. Certain vehicles, like SRT models, Vipers, Crossfires and Sprinters, are excluded. Other limiting factors are that you can only buy fuel (regular gas, diesel or E85) that works in your new car and there's an annual limit based on driving 12,000 miles. So, there won't be a lot of hooking up your friends through this deal. The deal works at any gas station because the savings are taken care through a credit card on file with Chrysler; the fuel supplier charges the full price, and Chrysler pays the difference.
Let's calculate this out. Pretend you're about to buy a PT Cruiser convertible. The EPA says it gets 21 mpg (combined). So, 12,000 miles at 21 mpg is 571 gallons. At today's average gas price of $3.61 a gallon, you'll be saving 62 cents a gallon. During the first year, that's $354. Over three years - should gas prices stay the same (ha!) - you're talking $1,000, easy. Is that enough to make you want to buy a Chrysler? In any case, should prices ever dip below $2.99, nothing will stop you from paying for your gas without using the Chrysler-bound card. Get more details after the jump.
Press Release:
Chrysler LLC Delivers Economic Stimulus; Protects Consumers from Rising Gas Prices for Three Years
"Let's Refuel America" available throughout the U.S. exclusively at Chrysler, Jeep® and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008 Three-year price protection from volatile gas prices available on compact, mid-size and full-size models, minivans, crossovers and pickup truck models
Seventy-six percent of customers cite rising gas prices as "top concern" Auburn Hills, Mich. - In response to direct customer feedback citing the prospect of rising gas prices as a top concern, Chrysler LLC today announces its own economic stimulus package: an exclusive gas price protection policy that eliminates the risk of further spikes in fuel prices. With the U.S. purchase of eligible Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles, customers can enroll in the "Let's Refuel America" program and receive a gas card that immediately lowers their gas price to $2.99 a gallon, and keeps it there for three years. The offer is available at 3,521 U.S. Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge dealerships through June 2, 2008, and is available on vehicles ranging from popular new compacts, crossovers and minivans to full-size diesel-powered pickup trucks.
"Today we are proud to introduce an unprecedented program to help put customers' minds at ease and do something to help working people who are worried about the volatility of fuel prices and vehicle cost of ownership," said Jim Press, Vice-Chairman and President, Chrysler LLC. "The Let's Refuel America Price Guarantee puts money in your pocket today, and allows our customers to better manage their fuel expenses. And you can't get it anywhere else besides a Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge dealership."
The Let's Refuel America program offers consumers a combination of the fuel price protection program and additional bonus cash up to $3,000 on available vehicles, including Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Charger, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Dakota and Dodge Ram.
Consumer Economic Solutions
Chrysler has a number of solutions to help our customers during these tough economic times. "Chrysler is committed to providing the best value, and the least worries, for our customers," said Press. Chrysler's lineup includes five models for under $20,000 that get 28 miles-per-gallon or better on the highway. To protect consumers from unexpected repair costs in the future, Chrysler models come with the industry's best powertrain warranty, covering the original owner for the life of the vehicle. And Chrysler has made a number of its most popular options standard on its New Day Package vehicles.
Fuel Economy Solutions
Chrysler currently offers six models that get better than 28 miles-per-gallon on the highway: Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Dodge Avenger, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot and Dodge Caliber. Through April, the six of these models combined have higher sales than in the first four months of 2007. The recently-launched 2009 Dodge Journey comes with an available 173-hp four cylinder engine, helping it achieve best in class fuel economy.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel 3.0-liter engine provides a class-leading driving range of approximately 450 miles and gets an estimated fuel economy of 18 miles/city and 23 miles/highway for 4x2 models and 17 miles/city and 22 miles/highway for 4x4 models. Outside of North America where fuel-saving diesel engines are in higher demand, Chrysler offers 17 models with diesel powertrains.
This fall, Chrysler will launch in the United States, two new hybrid SUVs, the Dodge Durango Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, boasting a fuel economy improvement of more than 25 percent overall, and 40 percent in the city. In 2010, the Dodge Ram Hybrid will reach the market. Chrysler is currently in the midst of a $3 billion powertrain investment offensive to develop new fuel-efficient powertrains and axles for our next-generation models.
Chrysler supports the federal government's new dramatically increased CAFE fuel economy standards, which will increase fuel efficiency by an average of 40 percent by 2020. Recently, Chrysler joined the US Climate Action Partnership, working to find solutions to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Customer Advisory Board
In February, Chrysler created the industry's first Customer Advisory Board to encourage a direct dialogue with customers and gather insight and feedback. A recent Advisory Board survey generated the following results: 76 percent of the community is "very concerned" or "extremely concerned" about fuel prices. 83 percent of the community responded that fuel prices will affect their summer vacation plans. (Note: the poll shows that 19 percent responded "extremely", 22 percent responded "very much", 30 percent responded "somewhat", and 12 percent responded slightly, 17 percent responded that it won't affect their plans.)
Program Description
The Let's Refuel America gas card program works when a customer purchases a new and unused Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle and selects the program in lieu of other available incentives. The customer is provided with the registration process documentation and registers providing their required personal information via the dedicated web site or toll-free 800 number. Once registered, the customer receives their gas card and separately, their Personal Identification Number (PIN) within 4 to 6 weeks of application. The customer then swipes their Let's Refuel America Gas Card at an eligible gas station, selecting up to 87 octane regular, E85 fuel or diesel fuel, and enters their PIN to begin the fueling process. After the fuel transaction occurs, the customer's personal credit card (identified in the registration process) is charged $2.99 per gallon.
Let's Refuel America Eligibility
The following vehicles are eligible for the Let's Refuel America program:
Small/Compact Car
Dodge Caliber, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible
Mid-size Car
Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler Sebring Convertible
Large Car
Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum
Crossover
Dodge Journey
Minivan
Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country
Compact SUV
Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass
Mid-size SUV
Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty
Large SUV
Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen
Pickup Truck
Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram, Dodge Ram HD
The following vehicles are not eligible for the Let's Refuel America program:
All SRT models, Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Ram Chassis Cab, Chrysler Crossfire, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Sprinter.
Select Program Offer
$2.99 guaranteed fuel card for up to 3 years
Offer valid with up to 87 octane regular unleaded fuel, E85 fuel or diesel fuel only, depending upon purchased vehicle*
Yearly allotment of gallons provided
Annual gallon allotment ends each year on 7/31 (first year ends 7/31/09)
Enroll
Easily register via a dedicated web site or by calling designated 1-800 number
Personalized Let's Refuel America Gas Card arrives within 4-6 weeks of receipt of application
Use & Save
Use the Let's Refuel America Gas Card like any credit card – just swipe and type in your PIN to use
Check account transactions online
* If mid-grade or premium unleaded fuel is purchased, the customer will be billed for the $2.99 plus $.15 per gallon for mid-grade (88-89 octane) or plus $.30 for premium (90-94 octane). All other grades of fuel higher than 94 octane are not covered under this program and the full pump price will be billed through to the customer plus a $2 service fee per transaction with no gallon usage penalty. If customer purchases unleaded gas (including E85) on a diesel card, or diesel fuel on an unleaded gas card, the customer will be billed the full pump price plus $2 service fee per transaction with no gallon usage penalty
[Source: Chrysler via Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Peekoyle 10:55AM (5/06/2008)
'Re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic'
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dann bohn 10:54AM (5/06/2008)
Only 1000 bucks? then be stuck with a car that only gets 21mpg for the remainder of the loan. Forget it!
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Throwback 11:06AM (5/06/2008)
This is an original idea compared to the usual incentives. I'm sure it will generate some sales, the question is will it generate sales of their large cars and trucks? My guess is that is what they are hoping for since those vehicles generate the most profit per vehicle. The example used is certainly attractive to some folks. Especially if you lease and drive less than 12k miles per year.
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Tim 11:22AM (5/06/2008)
Sales gimmick for people who can't do simple math because they went to public school. It’s the same thing as saying “How much can you afford to pay each month?” instead of saying “This is how much the car cost”.
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Dan 5:18PM (5/06/2008)
This is a horrible deal.
"The Let's Refuel America gas card program works when a customer purchases a new and unused Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle and selects the program in lieu of other available incentives."
If you take this deal you give up cash rebates, and there's a $5000 rebate now on the Ram and Durango.
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stevefazek 5:47PM (5/06/2008)
HEY HEY HEY this is more like rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg because things are looking up for Chrysler.
Actually this isnt that good of a deal. Its just an attention getter. Remember this 0% APR over 60 months which all American car companies offer adds up like this. 166 for every 10 grand your finance. So if you take out 20 grand. compared to 7% which would be 220 or so for every ten grand you take out. That would be a savings of 104 dollars a month for 20 grand times 60 months thats 6 grand your saving compared to 1000-2000 over the course of 3 years.
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Kevin Nugent 6:23PM (5/06/2008)
I don't like that aide because it gurantees a steady price. That means the the general public will know that they will pay a steady price and so it cannot get anymore expensie therefore they have less of a reasont to downsize and drive more EFFICENTLY. I
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Ken 11:55AM (5/07/2008)
Hi dan the ram does have high incentives but you can still get 5000.00 off plus the gas card. I sell Dodge Chrysler and Jeep any questions please post here or email me at kenburns29@gmail.com
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Dan 12:38PM (5/07/2008)
Ken, don't need a truck myself. If it's true, Chrysler should really update the fine print on the program because right now it sounds like you can't combine the gas card with other incentives.
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