AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Chrysler, its dealers and Edmunds.com are all reporting big spikes in Internet traffic and showroom interest in the company's Let's Refuel America gas-price guarantee. Interested consumers are focusing on fuel-efficient models such as Jeep Compass and Dodge Caliber, but more also are giving a gander to some relative gas hogs such as the Chrysler 300.

More than a week after Chrysler announced its program to price-protect consumers against gasoline over $2.99 a gallon with purchase of many of its models, no other major OEM has imitated Chrysler. But Chrysler executives told Inside Line that they don't mind going it alone — because many of their customers are going with them.

Edmunds.com reported just a 2 percent increase for the best-performing of its brands, the Chrysler marque, based on visits to the New Vehicle Detail Pages (NVDPs) for the company's products on Edmunds.com. Consideration of Dodge and Chrysler brands, measured this way, was flat.

But consideration as measured by NVDP visits was up 25 percent for Jeep Compass, 14 percent for Chrysler Aspen, 11 percent for Dodge Caliber, 9 percent for Jeep Patriot and 9 percent for Dodge Avenger. All of these vehicles are in segments where consumers are heavily oriented toward fuel economy.

Nevertheless, a couple of larger Chrysler vehicles also posted significant increases in Edmunds.com NVDP visits after one week of the gas-price incentive. The Chrysler 300 was up 23 percent by this measure, while the Dodge Grand Caravan had increased by 11 percent.

Meantime, Chrysler's own soundings confirm that consumers at least are demonstrating great awareness of and interest in the campaign. Traffic on Chrysler's Web site jumped by about 25 percent on the day after the unveiling of Let's Refuel America and has climbed another 10 percent this week, for example.Deborah Meyer, Chrysler's chief marketing officer, declined to tell Inside Line whether the company will extend Let's Refuel America after its scheduled June 2 expiration.

What this means to you: If still-climbing, extremely high gas prices are the difference between your purchasing a vehicle now or not, Chrysler may be the only game in town for you. — Dale Buss, Correspondent


http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=126336

 

suzski offers free gas for the summer and 0% APR.


http://www.suzukiauto.com/

 

Unfortunately Chrysler's "Let's Refuel America" campaign excludes SRT8 models... [:@]

 

There is somthing wrong here!!!
You would think that Chrysler would offer the 299 program to the SRT vehicles as a selling tool to sell those top end fully loaded cars. Instead they are dangling the 299 carrot to get you to buy a less expensive car with less options so they make less profit. But they will probably change and add the SRT 's after the last 2008 Challenger is delivered.

 

Probably because they are not producing particularly gas efficient cars in any arena.

 

Chrysler Extends Gas Guarantee Program Through July

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan — Chrysler LLC has extended the Let's Refuel America $2.99 gas guarantee program one more month to July 7, in response to heavy consumer and dealer demand.

The program has significantly increased traffic at Chrysler's 3,511 dealerships, and, after one week, its Web site activity is up 25 percent compared to the previous week.

"Customers and dealers across America have told us they like the gas-guarantee incentive option, so we are providing a second month for shoppers to take advantage of it. Let's Refuel America, the Lifetime Powertrain Warranty and the New Day Packages are all examples of our commitment to deliver more value and peace of mind to our customers," said Jim Press, Chrysler vice chairman and president.

Let's Refuel America is available on almost every new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicle. High-performance models, including the Dodge SRT lineup and a few others, are not included in the program, however. Customers who enroll will receive a gas card that lets them purchase gas at $2.99 a gallon for the next three years, regardless of rising pump prices.

What this means to you: Good news for people looking to get a new Chrysler in June. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent

 

I talked to a salemen at dodge and he said it isnt a real deal its only like a 300 dollor a year saveings.