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Chrysler to guarantee gas at $2.99 a gallon! For three years!

Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 by admin

2.99 a gallon, 2.99-a-gallon, 2.99AGallon, chrysler incentives, ChryslerIncentives, gas price guarantee, GasPriceGuarantee

Who needs an 18-cent a gallon gas tax holiday from pandering politicians when you have Chrysler on your side?! With gas prices rapidly approaching and exceeding $4 a gallon across the nation, Chrysler is offering up a deal that just might make people who are averse to the looks of cars like the Chrysler Sebring and Jeep Compass think twice. Between now and June 2, anyone who buys any new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle will be able to register for a “Let’s Refuel America” card. Once the customer registers a credit card with the program, they will receive a new card that they can then use at participating gas stations to fuel up their new car or truck. When the card is used, the credit card that the owner has on file will be billed $2.99 a gallon for either regular gas, E85 or diesel fuel. Chrysler will pay the difference. The best part is the price is locked in for THREE years. Now that’s real savings. There are of course limitations on the deal. Get more details on the deal and Chrysler’s full press release after the jump.

SRT models, Vipers, Crossfires (they are still around?) and Sprinters are excluded. Also, when you buy the car your card will only be eligible for the pricing for the fuel the car uses. If you buy a diesel truck you can only buy diesel fuel. Similarly gas or flex fuel cars can only get gas or E85. If you buy the opposite fuel you’ll be charged the full price plus and extra $2 transaction fee. There are also annual fuel allotments based on 12,000 miles a year of driving and the EPA sticker mileage.

The card can be be used to fuel any car and if the car is sold within the three years, the owner can keep the card and continue buying fuel at the discounted price. This is one hell of a deal, if it doesn’t drive Chrysler into bankruptcy, which is a distinct possibility. Because there is no way of knowing what fuel costs will be over the next three years, Chrysler can’t estimate the cost. However, Steven Landry, Executive Vice President - North American Sales said the company is doing some hedging to protect themselves. If the price of fuel dips below $2.99 customers can just pay with another card or cash. The program kicks off on Wednesday May 7, 2008.

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 4×2 models and 17 miles/city and 22 miles/highway for 4×4 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

Who needs an 18-cent a gallon gas tax holiday from pandering politicians when you have Chrysler on your side?! With gas prices rapidly approaching and exceeding $4 a gallon across the nation, Chrysler is offering up a deal that just might make people who are averse to the looks of cars like the Chrysler Sebring and Jeep Compass think twice. Between now and June 2, anyone who buys any new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle will be able to register for a “Let’s Refuel America” card. Once the customer registers a credit card with the program, they will receive a new card that they can then use at participating gas stations to fuel up their new car or truck. When the card is used, the credit card that the owner has on file will be billed $2.99 a gallon for either regular gas, E85 or diesel fuel. Chrysler will pay the difference. The best part is the price is locked in for THREE years. Now that’s real savings. There are of course limitations on the deal. Get more details on the deal and Chrysler’s full press release after the jump.

SRT models, Vipers, Crossfires (they are still around?) and Sprinters are excluded. Also, when you buy the car your card will only be eligible for the pricing for the fuel the car uses. If you buy a diesel truck you can only buy diesel fuel. Similarly gas or flex fuel cars can only get gas or E85. If you buy the opposite fuel you’ll be charged the full price plus and extra $2 transaction fee. There are also annual fuel allotments based on 12,000 miles a year of driving and the EPA sticker mileage.

The card can be be used to fuel any car and if the car is sold within the three years, the owner can keep the card and continue buying fuel at the discounted price. This is one hell of a deal, if it doesn’t drive Chrysler into bankruptcy, which is a distinct possibility. Because there is no way of knowing what fuel costs will be over the next three years, Chrysler can’t estimate the cost. However, Steven Landry, Executive Vice President - North American Sales said the company is doing some hedging to protect themselves. If the price of fuel dips below $2.99 customers can just pay with another card or cash. The program kicks off on Wednesday May 7, 2008.

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 4×2 models and 17 miles/city and 22 miles/highway for 4×4 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]

Vanishing Point Challenger replaced with… regular Challenger SRT8

Monday, May 5th, 2008 by admin

challenger, challenger one lap, challenger srt8, ChallengerOneLap, ChallengerSrt8, one lap, one lap challenger, one lap of america, OneLap, OneLapChallenger, OneLapOfAmerica, vanishing point, vanishing point chal…, vanishing point one lap, VanishingPoint, VanishingPointChal…, VanishingPointOneLap

Audi has been quietly going about the business of preparing its lineup for a green future, with cleaner and more efficient diesels in Europe, and oil-burners scheduled for the US in the near future. While the German automaker realizes diesel will be big in the next 10 years, it’s also planning for life without emissions. Audi exec Rupert Stadler says the four-ringed automaker is primed to offer an electric vehicle in the next five to ten years. Meanwhile, Audi’s German competition has been talking up its green position, but Stadler points out that the Volkswagen-owned brand has more research resources to exercise its options.

With the emissions belt being tightened both here in the US and in Europe, every automaker is going to have to make huge changes to its vehicles to stay in the game, and Audi is no different. We’re going to be the big winners during these changing times, and while a battery-powered R8 won’t sound as good as its petrol-powered twin, we like the idea of plugging in our sports car instead of filling it with gas every few days.

[Source: CarDomain]

Get ‘em while they’re not hot! Dodge Rams going for $13k below MSRP

Monday, May 5th, 2008 by admin

2008 dodge ram, 2008DodgeRam, 2009 dodge ram, 2009DodgeRam, dealer inventory, dealer stock, DealerInventory, DealerStock, dodge, dodge ram, DodgeRam, incentives, pickup truck sales, PickupTruckSales, sales, truck sales, TruckSales

A tight credit market, slumping construction, an economy on bed rest, an end-of-model year, and high gas prices mean one thing for pickup trucks: lots of brand new trucks waiting for buyers. Dealers trying to shift their 2008 Dodge Rams before the 2009s arrive are taking as much as $13,000 off the bill to try and convince buyers to come forth. That means you can get a Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4×2 for $19,995, instead of $32,795.

With consumers being more picky about what and when they buy, it also doesn’t help that dealers really don’t want trade-in trucks either, since they can’t do anything with them. What Dodge dealers hope for now is that Chrysler will manage the build-out of the 2009 models to give them a chance to get rid of the 2008s. Chrysler says it has a plan that will keep it competitive and keep the changeover orderly. For now, the Ram is the most heavily discounted vehicle out there.

For a dealer in Ohio, the matter of 120-day inventories really comes down to gas prices. “Until we get gas under three bucks a gallon,” he said, “these pickups are not going to move.” We’re sure that no one wants that to be true, because if it is, there will be brand new 2008 Rams on showroom lots for a long time.

Chrysler execs doing house calls

Sunday, May 4th, 2008 by admin

Cerberus, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, jim press, JimPress, Nardelli

If you have a Dodge Ram in the driveway and someone claiming to be Jim Press calls you asking if you’re satisfied with your truck, it just might be him. Chrysler recognizes that it has a customer service problem, and the Pentastar is going to extraordinary lengths to correct it. Its top 300 executives and directors are participating in a program called “Customer First” that puts a priority on — you guessed it — the customer. The executives, even guys named Nardelli, Press, and LaSorda, are responsible for at least one customer call per day, and all execs will man at least one shift at Chrysler’s customer call center.

The Pentastar elite are also partaking in a three month competition to see who can generate the most sales. We don’t know what the prize is for the winner, but whomever claims top sales should get something really, really good. Like a lifetime supply of Chrysler Sebrings.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Daimler reduces book value of Chrysler stake by two-thirds

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008 by admin

Cerberus, Chrysler, Daimler, earnings

Daimler may have divested 80.1% of its ownership in Chrysler, but the German automaker is still feeling pain from the Pentastar. The value of Daimler’s portion of Chrysler has dropped from $2.18 billion to $852 million not even a year after the two parted ways. The loss of nearly $1.4 billion in value is a fair chunk of change, even for the mighty Daimler, but the news is not all bad for company shareholders. If Daimler hadn’t sold Chrysler to the private equity firm Cerberus as fast as it did, the automaker’s stock would likely be in much worse shape.

Since the privately owned Chrysler, LLC doesn’t have to report earnings, it claims that its fiscal standing is all peaches and cream. According to Chrysler, the company has had positive earnings since it was bought out by Cerberus last year. The official line that explains the discrepancy with Daimler’s reporting is that U.S. accounting rules are much more favorable than those overseas. Damn accountants.
[Source: Automotive News - subs. req’d]

Chrysler looking to sell two axle plants, get leaner and meaner

Monday, April 28th, 2008 by admin

american axle, AmericanAxle, axle plant, AxlePlant, chrysler, dana corp, DanaCorp, detroit axle, DetroitAxle

Chrysler is looking to offload two of its axle plants in an effort to limit its in-house parts production. The automaker has already offered to sell both plants to American Axle & Manufacturing and Dana Corp. for $400 million, according to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal. Unfortunately for Chrysler, however, there hasn’t been much interest in the offer. The move could also include the closure of Detroit Axle and the purchase of Chrysler’s unfinished plant in Marysville. All of this is further proof that the Cerberus-owned automaker is making a serious attempt to pair down its production facilities and lessen its overhead.

[Source: Wall Street Journal, Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty]