Chrysler marketing department is working overtime coming out with one marketing gimmick after another trying to make Chrysler the profitable corporation it once was.
Their latest breakthrough is a Chrysler gas credit card that effectively would make all your gas purchases cost $2.99 no matter what the current market price of gas is. That combined with the lifetime power train warranty is bound to bring people to the dealership doors. The catch is, SRT models are excluded and the deal only lasts 3 years.
Suzuki jumps on the bandwagon and announce their own gas gimmick
For vehicles purchased between May 1st and June 30th, Suzuki is offering 0% financing and three months of totally free fuel in its “Free Gas for Summer” program. Buyers will basically get a stored-value credit card that’s charged with a different amount of money depending on the model purchased.
Critics
These incentive programs are nothing but promotions designed to grab headlines and make buyers feel like they’re getting more money back than they actually are. Playing off the media’s hysteria over high gas prices, Chrysler (and Suzuki) is betting buyers will feel that paying $2.99/gallon for three years is more valuable than a $2,000 cash back rebate. Trust the math, it’s really not. Nevertheless, it will likely sell more Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles than a boring $2,000 rebate would.
This deal will be good for people who do minimum driving and can afford a 3 year financing plan on a vehicle or can make a purchase out right. It also only limits people at putting only 12,000 miles a year on the vehicle, plus i’m sure they hide more margain into the cost of the vehicle to make it seem like your getting a really great deal. Your getting a better deal in my opinnion but I definitely wouldn’t favor a GREAT DEAL.
My bet, and I’ll put money on it: They’re going to offer it like other offers as in a “pick one or the other” type thing. Your choices will be $2000k cash back, 0% APR for 48 months, or this deal. $2000 cash back is the best deal, 0% APR is next, followed closely by this gas deal even if you drive 20k miles per year. Just a marketing ploy, they arent offering a radical new deal.
You are not too far off the mark. the $2.99 gig is in lieu of rebates or APR financing—but there is some bonus cash in there too. The amoun of gallons varies by the car model and is based on EPA estimates–12,000 miles per year.
The program is good for some–not for all ( models and people) --it should generate traffic and attention for Chrysler. Chrysler is a new company now that Cerebus took over from Daimler. I think they will be a leaner/meaner company and will start responding to the public’s needs. It will take some time though.