Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz focusing on escaping dreaded gas guzzler tax

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Government/Legal, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

For the 2012 model year, Mercedes-Benz will have at least two fewer vehicles on the "gas-guzzler" tax list published by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. This will continue a positive trend for the company. Iin 2011, 12 M-B models are subject to the dreaded gas-guzzler tax, one less than in 2010 and 10 fewer than in 2006.

Instituted back in 1978, the gas-guzzler tax is applied at the point of purchase against vehicles with "exceptionally low fuel economy." The one-time fee ranges from $1,200 to $7,700.

In addition to eliminating vehicles from the list, M-B says five 2011 models - S600, S65 AMG, CL600, CL63 AMG and CL65 AMG - are subject to reduced taxes compared to the prior year's amount. Vehicles expected to escape the dreaded gas guzzler tax for 2012 include the CLS550 and CLS63 AMG. Both are completely redesigned for the new year and have improved fuel economy ratings.

Mercedes-Benz focusing on escaping dreaded gas guzzler tax originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Senate to vote on 'Cash for Clunkers' today?

Michael Harley — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

A vote could come today on a bill designed to offer credits of up to $4,500 for consumers to trade-in gas-guzzling older vehicles. The so-called "cash for clunkers" legislation is designed to stimulate auto sales, but it also stands to effectively remove gross polluters from the roads and put drivers in safer and more fuel efficient vehicles.

As you would expect, the legislation is supported by automakers and dealers - both consider the program crucial to helping them weather the current sales environment. President Barack Obama has urged Congress to pass such a bill, and the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has also petitioned in its favor. Similar "cash for clunkers" programs have already proven effective in many other countries. About the only thing standing in the way of this bill appears to be a competing measure, proposed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), that appears to prioritize environmental goals over automotive sales.

[Source: Detroit News]

Senate to vote on 'Cash for Clunkers' today? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official dealer invoice for 2008 Dodge Challenger surfaces

Chris Shunk — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:36:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Chrysler, Dodge

The 2008 Dodge Challenger is Chrysler's next smash hit, with big power, great looks, and collector appeal. Chrysler may produce 10,000 or more two door muscle cars in 2008, but the first model year's worth all models will be of the SRT badge. As we've covered already, Dodge is throwing the kitchen sink at the SRT-version of the coupe, so there won't be many options to check. Still, the Mopar fans over at Allpar.com have posted the dealer invoice anyway. The only major option listed is the MyGig Multimedia Infotainment w/Nav, which will cost buyers a reasonable $890. The one real source of pain comes from a $2,100 gas guzzler tax, which seems harsh considering that any Challenger owner will be punished each and every time they hit the pump. Allpar also speculates that next year the 6.1L Hemi engine could get a power bump to 460 HP, making the RWD brawler even more potent. There's little doubt that for the first couple of years the Challenger will be a hot commodity, and even less doubt that virtually every one sold will involve dealer markups, bringing the muscle car reincarnate well above its $40,000 MSRP.

Gallery: 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8

[Source: Allpar]

Official dealer invoice for 2008 Dodge Challenger surfaces originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2007 08:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Challenger SRT-8 actually stickers at $40,095

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:04:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Government/Legal, Dodge

One of our readers pointed us to this page over at Dodge's website that contradicted our earlier post about the 2008 Challenger SRT-8's pricing, which was originally announced at $37,995 (including the $675 destination charge). We realize that inflation is a cruel mistress, but a bump in the sticker to $40,095 left us scratching our heads. A few emails back and forth between the people at Chrysler revealed that the SRT-8 was slapped with a $2100 gas-guzzler penalty that accounted for the discrepancy in price. Not a real surprise considering the 425 hp 6.1-liter HEMI V8. As a comparison, however, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 gets a $1300 consumption penalty, even with 75 more horses under the hood. A quick search over at fueleconomy.gov revealed that if Challenger SRT-8 owners are penalized $2100, that means that they'll also only be getting between 18.5 and 19.5 mpg in the combined cycle. We doubt that'll be a deterrent, but it's food for thought.

Dodge Challenger SRT-8 actually stickers at $40,095 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gov't forgot to change Gas Guzzler tax

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:03:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal

Back in December, we told you about the new method the government would be using to calculate fuel mileage. For the first time in twenty years, they decided to make changes to better reflect real-world driving conditions and driver behaviors. The changes went into effect starting with 2008 model year cars, and are evident in the newly styled window stickers on those vehicles (shown above). We correctly surmised that most estimates would go down by some degree using this new formula. In our comments, many of you immediately noticed that this would unfairly bump some vehicles into the gas guzzler tax bracket. Apparently, you had reason to be concerned.

Revealed after some sleuthing by the boys at Dubspeed Driven, the EPA is still using the 1991 tax schedule and gas guzzler calculation method. That essentially means that the exact same car that skirted the gas guzzler surcharge last year, could be a scofflaw in 2008. Cars like a Nissan 350Z, for instance. It's combined 23.15 last year kept it out of the gas guzzler bracket, but under the new formula, it's a $1,300 offender at 21.15 mpg.

There's no mention anywhere on the EPA website about the new testing procedures or the fact that 2008 vehicles will likely be reporting lower mpg compared to 2007 Monroneys. Scared at the possible backlash when their vehicles appear to be getting poorer mileage, major carmakers have banded together to create a website to help educate consumers about the apparent drop in fuel economy, but nothing seems to be in place at the EPA to account for the change. Trucks, some sport utilities and minivans are all still exempt from gas guzzler tax, however.

[Source: Dubspeed Driven]

Gov't forgot to change Gas Guzzler tax originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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