Autoblog

Chrysler's $2.99 gas card promo pretty worthless, for now

Alex Nunez — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST

Oh well. Those Chrysler "Let's Refuel America" gas cards undoubtedly sounded good to car buyers over the summer when gas was well over four bucks and it seemed like there was no limit to how high the price could go. Offered in lieu of rebates, the gas cards essentially locked drivers into the then-cheap pump price of $2.99/gallon. Now, several months (and countless hysterical media reports) later, the economy is in the tank and so, as it happens, is the price of gas. In what feels like a time warp, $2-per-gallon gas is suddenly not uncommon. That's great news for drivers in general, but less so for drivers holding the $2.99 gas cards, which don't seem like such a hot deal anymore. This is the gamble you take when you agree to a fixed price on a commodity subject to market fluctuations. It's the same issue some people now face with heating oil: over the summer, customers who locked-in a contracted price in fear of astronomical costs this winter are now set to pay through the nose, while others who gambled and decided to just pay market price are at an advantage. The good news for the Chrysler gas card holders: the price is good for a couple more years, so if gas shoots up again, they're back in the game. Thanks for the tip, Soh Won Cha!

[Sources: BNet, KPTV]

Chrysler's $2.99 gas card promo pretty worthless, for now originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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California gives its lawmakers unlimited gas cards

Michael Harley — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:20:00 EST

What's up with California's lawmakers? First, they pass legislation that makes it illegal to use cell phones while driving, yet texting while behind the wheel is still legal (thankfully rectified earlier this week). Now they get caught with unchecked, taxpayer-reimbursed, unlimited-use gas cards...while driving state-issued vehicles! The "gas cards" are supposed to be used for fuel, but they can also be used for incidental purchases such as snacks or drinks. The lawmakers never see the bills as they are sent directly to the Senate and Assembly rules committees for payment. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the golden state of California is unique with this program -- in most other states (not facing $15 billion budget deficits) lawmakers must submit expense forms for gas. Yeah, just like the rest of us do...

[Source: AOL Autos]

California gives its lawmakers unlimited gas cards originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Sep 2008 12:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Let the incentive wars begin!

Erin Mays — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 17:21:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Daimler, Ford, GM

Following news that Chrysler will start up employee pricing discounts again this summer, General Motors is jumping into the sandbox, only this time taking another tack -- zero percent financing for six years for many 2006 models, which is expected to be announced next week. It's a way for General Motors to stick by its word that it will continue to be a proponent of value pricing and still fight to keep the market share that has slowly been slipping away from its fingertips.

So far, the only incentive plan outlined by Ford for the summer is $1,000 gas cards, but expect the Dearborn-based automaker to come up with something a little sweeter as the days get hotter.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Let the incentive wars begin! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Jun 2006 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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