Times are tough in Detroit these days as each of the Big 3 saw drastic drops in sales for the month of May. It's not surprising, then, to see that Chrysler, Dodge and Ford have increased incentives in an effort to get those cars off its dealer's lots. For instance, prospective buyers for the Hemi-powered Chrysler 300C can now choose either $4,000 cash back or $2,000 plus Chrysler's $2.99 gas promotion, known as Let's Refuel America. Choosing Chrysler's full-size SUV, the Aspen, will net you $4,500 cash back or $1,000 in cash, plus the Let's Refuel deal. Dodge too is heavy into the incentives game, especially on fuel-gulping SUV's and trucks. The largest savings come with the 2008 Ram truck, which gets you $5,000 in cash or $3,000 plus the cheap gas card.Realizing the sorry state that sales of the F-Series are in, Ford has chosen to offer employee pricing for its full-sizers, although they aren't telling you what how much you'll save without a trip to the dealer. Cars.com has been able to extract a few figures from Ford's web site and have figured out that nearly three-grand will be shed from the sticker of a mid-grade XLT model. After looking these rebates over, it seems clear that the few consumers still in the market for a large, V8 powered vehicle will be looking to get a great deal for the foreseeable future.
[Source: Kicking Tires]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James @ Jun 5th 2008 6:08PM
You have to wonder what's taken them so long to slow production lines enough so that they don't have to give these huge incentives. Not like the economy has just started tanking last week.
Simon @ Jun 5th 2008 6:11PM
"Lets Refuel America" just doesnt sound good. They should have used another slogan.
It sounds wasteful and careless and against the grain of reducing consumption.
I dont know thats just me.
Torrent @ Jun 5th 2008 6:18PM
No, it's me too. Not quite catchy enough.
It should be called:
"We're giving gas to save our ass" For a Limited Time.....
Torrent @ Jun 5th 2008 6:16PM
These huge incentives will make Enterprise happy. It's sad on Chrysler's part, but I'm sure not event the incentives will make them move faster.
If I used the "build one" icon on Chrylser's website-and Built an Aspen Limited (the top of the line model), with a base price of about 35,000, I'd put on all the options (5000 bucks worth), and the finished price would still be 35,000 due to all the incentives and stuff. Pretty good for the Consumers, but I pity Chrysler LLC right now.
Sandy @ Aug 15th 2008 5:02PM
I am lusting after a 2008 Dodge Charger SRT-8 6.1 HEMI, with all of the accessories & ioptions, she lists MSRLP at $46,800. My dealer will give me $2,100 off MSRLP AND the $4,000 Factory cash back. I can theerefore buy it for $40,800. Tor-Red, Please.
tekdemon @ Jun 6th 2008 5:37AM
@Sandy, if you think that's cheap you should go see what the lack of demand has done to it's resale...used SRT8's are cheap as chips...
But the best value seems to be the used 300C's (with the V8)...man...almost tempted to go get one except it'd still be a horrible financial decision.
IndusCreed @ Jun 6th 2008 11:20AM
300s are nice...kinda ghetto...but its true about the resale...you can get a 2 year old Charger SRT8 for mid 20s.
When I see a Jeep SRT8 for that price I will jump on it.
AZMike @ Jun 6th 2008 12:37AM
the biggest problem with the Ford rebates isn't figuring the cost, it's the inventory.
a friend was looking for a 2WD XLT regular or super cab F150. this is by far the volume model in the F150 lineup.
we can't find a single one in the state of Arizona. plenty of work truck XLs (white/gray interior, rubber mats) or totally loaded super crew Lariats.
large truck rebates are nothing new, and have been used long before there were any fuel issues. for those who for some reason think the domestic manufacturers have some crystal ball (of course, we ALL know the Japanese have them!), they don't.
AZMike
psu48187 @ Jun 6th 2008 1:41AM
Good point AZMike, I wouldn't be surprised if Toyota and Nissan follow suit. Toyota after all dumped a ton of incentives on the Tundra last year (and it was all new).
In Ford's defense, the new F-150 is set to launch soon. So it only makes sense for the manufacturer to dump whatever excess inventory is out there. That could be why certain trim levels can not be found. Ditto that with the Ram.
CarbonBlack @ Jun 6th 2008 2:48AM
I really hope gas goes WAY down for 2 reasons
1. my wallet
2. so these people realize they got taken
cowboy bob @ Jun 6th 2008 7:09AM
Somebody kick sand into your cocoa?
Frank @ Jun 6th 2008 8:04AM
The funny thing is about this fuel program is, that according to Automotive News, the idea for it came from the dealers, who have done promotions like this on and off for years. Of course Jim Press was all over it and championed it at HQ for them to do it company wide. My guess is it would have done better if gas had not had the sudden spike to $135 a barrel due to speculation. Maybe now that it has retreated a little and Chrysler is offering rebates as well as the fuel card it will gain some traction.
Kumar @ Jun 6th 2008 11:14AM
Chrysler needs to redo the interiors ASAP, as well as some exterior mods to all of their mid sized and compact vecs.
Too bad they won't go as far as Subaru did with the Tribica to try and rectify a car that was panned for it's looks by turning right around and doing a major overhaul.
On top of that, what good is a partnership with VW if you're not willing to shell out millions on your end to secure the rights to sell the next gen vw diesels in the lower end chrysler vecs. It can only really help both companies.
Luis @ Jun 6th 2008 2:09PM
@Sandy: Wait 'till next year, when gas is $7.00 a gallon...they'll be paying YOU to get these off the lot.
Sandy @ Aug 15th 2008 5:05PM
The price of gas doesn't bother me. My current 2003 car has 6,000 miles in 5 years. the car prior to that was a 1998 that I sold with 5,101 miles IN 5 years! I really enjoy my cars, do not take exotic vacations, don't like flying, do not golf or belong to a country club and pretty much live a homebody kinda life. My pleasure is my car, and driving, but working 12 hours a day and 8 on Saturday, I have little time. I love a sharp car and to drive, when I have the time, which, as you can see, is not much.
I also recall when EXXON Premium was 1.29 @ Gallon. So, would that dictate quitting driving - say 5 years ago, when it hit $3.00 @ gallon ? Most of my friends have gas guzzlers. A Corvette, A Mustang GT, a Cadillac Escalade and a Lincoln Town Car. They work hard, as do I and enjoy a hot & sexy car.
Sandy @ Aug 15th 2008 5:05PM
The price of gas doesn't bother me. My current 2003 car has 6,000 miles in 5 years. the car prior to that was a 1998 that I sold with 5,101 miles IN 5 years! I really enjoy my cars, do not take exotic vacations, don't like flying, do not golf or belong to a country club and pretty much live a homebody kinda life. My pleasure is my car, and driving, but working 12 hours a day and 8 on Saturday, I have little time. I love a sharp car and to drive, when I have the time, which, as you can see, is not much.
I also recall when EXXON Premium was 1.29 @ Gallon. So, would that dictate quitting driving - say 5 years ago, when it hit $3.00 @ gallon ? Most of my friends have gas guzzlers. A Corvette, A Mustang GT, a Cadillac Escalade and a Lincoln Town Car. They work hard, as do I and enjoy a hot & sexy car.