May6
We're sure most members of the nonprofit 'Union of Concerned Scientists' have had to tackle more complex issues than simple fuel economy calculations, but the organization nonetheless released some numbers Tuesday evening casting doubt on Chrysler's "Let’s Refuel America" promotion.
According to David Friedman, research director for UCS's Clean Vehicles Program, Chrysler's promise to offer new car buyers a gas card with a price lock of $2.99 per gallon for three years is an attempt to "fool consumers into overlooking its vehicles' poor fuel economy and environmental performance."
Using some simple math, Friedman points out that, at current gas prices, the potential savings per year is around $400. He says the same savings could be realized by improving milage by just 3 mpg.
"Chrysler is trying to pull a fast one on potential car buyers. It's using this cynical deal to distract consumers from the fact that its cars get poor gas mileage. Rather than sticking customers with gas guzzlers, Chrysler should focus on delivering more miles per gallon," Friedman wrote in a statement to the press, on behalf of the UCS. "That would not only save their customers money at the pump, it would help cut America's oil addiction and reduce global warming pollution at the same time."
"At the current price of $3.61 a gallon, the buyer of an average Chrysler vehicle would save $400 a year under Chrysler's deal. But a mere 3-mpg boost would yield the same savings over the 15,000 miles per year typically driven in the first three years of ownership," continues Friedman. "Over the lifetime of a vehicle, such a fuel economy increase would save drivers more than $3,000. It wouldn't stop saving drivers money after just three years."
"Instead of gambling with Chrysler on the price of gas over the next three years, car buyers should go with the certainty of a fuel-efficient vehicle," he concludes.
Chrysler finished at the bottom of UCS's most recent ranking of auto company environmental performance. Granted, the report looks at the pre-breakup DaimlerChrysler as a whole, but much of the focus was on the Chrysler half of the now-defunct auto giant. Calling the company "Public Polluter Number One," UCS said the company had "the worst global warming performance" in half the classes in which it sells vehicles. "Its small pickup trucks produce more smog than any class of vehicles from any other automaker."
I think consumers are pretty damn foolish from the start.
If acheiving "just" a 3mpg increase in economy was as easy as giving buyers a credit card, you can be damned sure that Chrysler would be doing that instead.
Fact is that acheiving an extra 3mpg isn't as easy as waving some magic wand. And all that engineering certainly costs a HELL of a lot more money than just giving consumers a credit card, at least short-term. The engineering will pay dividends in the long-run, but requires time and money.
That's not to say that Chrysler doesn't need more fuel-efficient vehicles, because they sure as hell do. But this isn't Chrysler "trying to distract" consumers. It's actually quite the opposite. This is them ACKNOWLEDGING that their vehicles aren't MPG-competitive and coming up with an immediate, temporary solution while they work on acheiving a permanent engineering solution.
Cerberus inherited a Chrysler Engineering division that had been allowed to rot on the vine under Daimler, and it's going to take some time to bring them up even to par with the competition. This is a great means of ATTEMPTING to level the playing field in the short-term while the engineers work on a proper solution.
Absolutely. True , true and true again. F— Chrysler, and f— their marketing schemes. They expect us to overlook their cars' poor performance , atrocius looks, poor fuel economy , subpar quality and subpar reliabilty for … $ 400 a year of gas…That's why I hate them so much . They are ,by far ,the lamest auto company in the developed world.
i wonder how many of these chrysler-hating people currently own a chrysler. if they dont, then they really cannot vouch.
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why dont people understand this, you sure these arent hippies and not scientists lln? perhaps a side-effect of this price-lock is that consumers may not be as concerned as all the tree-huggers want them to be but they are still well aware of the issue at hand. Everyone is. Its not going anywhere. Wow so they get a little deal on their gas, $2.99 is still a hell of alot more than it was just a few short years ago and that will still be fresh in buyers minds. Yes, mileage is an issue, but there is no fuel shortage in the world, there is no lack of availability like there was in the 70's, there are just greedy people realizing they can gouge prices. But mileage isnt the ONLY issue facing americans today. The economy is just as big of a current issue as global warming, with things like the housing market in the toilet and the job market drying up rather quickly. If a family needs a Grand Caravan, wouldnt it be nice to know they wont have to worry about gas prices going to $4 or $5 per gallon anytime soon while they build equity? The home heating oil industry has had their customers locking in at rates for decades. Whats the big deal with gasoline going the same route? An incentive like this is going to give people the piece of mind that they can afford things they need, like homes and groceries, without worrying about their gas bill increasing as much as 75%. Thats a big chunk of most peoples paychecks.
and heres another little fact LLN didnt mention, the card also covers DIESEL fuel, which in my area is going for $4.79/gal at some stations.
Right before our collective feeble eyes it’s unfolding. It’s 1984 and Brazil at the same time. It’s the ultimate brain washing folks. It’s BIG brother, brothers. But it’s coming in the form of the media, scientists, celebrities, world organizations and any group with a fax machine and a website and a hatred for anyone that doesn’t live their life the way they would have us live it. Of course all of them are phonies and liars but hey, they have the media on their side and far too many of the rest of us are the sheep they are looking for. Chrysler is a lawful US company that is trying to stay alive and this marketing idea has merit with some people looking for vehicles and it’s not the business of these fascists and social engineers.
Ask Deanster about real world mileage on his Wrangler and he'll probably sum it up with one word- 'sucks'. On the other hand ask me about real world mileage of my '06 Sebring 2.7l and I'd have to sum it by saying 'amazed'- and that's in a good way. But that's always been the deal with Chrysler products since as long as I can remember which goes back to my dad's '67 Newport. There's either the really good or the really bad. I firmly believe it all boils down to quality control. Chrysler was just staring to get it right about the time Daimler intervened but boy has it been hit and miss since then. All those stories and even lawsuits about transmissions and engine sludge weren't just a few owners with an axe to grind. Then again, almost everyone has a neighbor with the 90's Caravan that just never quits. Sure you can probably say the same about any make, but Chrysler seems to have more of a love-hate relationship amongst its owners than any other brand.
Wasn't the "Union of Scientists that can't get laid" supposed to be "non-profit"? Then why is it that they're "sponsored" by a few automotive groups?
It makes you wonder if their opinons & facts are truly unbiased.
I was ROTFL because I have one of those neighbors with a caravan that just keeps going. Seriously it has about 200K miles.
Now that that that liberal, enviro wacko group has weighed in on $2.99 gas cards, maybe I should look at getting the Dodge Challenger!!!! I think it is a genius move on Chrysler's part. If gas goes down to 2 something , Chrysler won't have to give up a dime. Maybe they know something that we don't????
hahahaha you bought a sebring? hahaha
Why is any of this news?
Of course Chrysler is pulling a fast one - and why not? Why piss money away on RnD when you can buy a quick fix in the form of these gas cards and then profit even more by millions making late payments with exorbitant interest?
Chrysler's strategy is genius. Once again, the North AMerican public, as stupid as it is, will fall for it. We don't need these envirofags to tell us that.
These "scientists" seem like a bunch of geeks with too much time on their hands. What would they know about marketing anyway? This is a marketing strategy because there isn't quick fix to boost fuel economy in such a short amount of time. Why don'y these guys bother the maker's of hybrids and be "concerned scientists" about what they will do with all those used batteries.
Ok, so Some of the cars don't get good mileage. I had a 2001 Chrysler Sebring LXi, 3.0 -auto, and was getting 25mpg. But, I'd like to challenge the Chevy Duramaxs and Ford powerstrokes. I have an 05 3500 crew cab, 4×4, auto, cummins (single rear wheel - no duallie). I drive 68 miles a day to and from work and I'm getting 22.1 from a Cummins 5.9 - yes, I agree it was a stupid move on Dodge's part to get rid of the 5.9 and move to the 6.7 and BTW F—- the CAFE standards.
It has nothing to do with "speed" it's all about the RPM's, find the right rpm for your vehicle and you will get the optimum MPG.
being a member of the "Union of annoyed consumers" I say to the "scienticians" fuck off! we know its a come on to buy a car, go do something worthwhile.
Well, us "North american public" won't fall for this one either…we didn't fall for the Mercedes connection to the company, and the "lifetime warrenty" isn't driving customers to buy Chrysler over others, so why does anyone else think this will survive as a marketing sensation??? People first buy style, then function, then relability, then probably every other reason after those three. Style is number one, and Chrysler is failing badly in that department with just about nothing in the pipeline new coming other than the 2 door Challenger. Pour the money into R&D and quality materials and the vehicle sales numbers will take care of themselves. Unfortunatly the current equity company that owns Chrysler will in the end sell it off in parts and pieces and stay out of the automotive sector all together. Its been a bad experiment for these folks.
jdasch1, I think that campaign will work great for Chrysler. There is a difference of priorities at play: concerned scientists really don't want polluting and gas guzzling vehicles roam the earth and Chrysler needs to rid off those from their lots. Monster vehicles are also extremely profitable: design is century old body on frame and profitability at least 10K/unit. As far as design, I like Chrysler designs above all other domestic, albeit quality, well I like designs better. Chrysler brand customer most likely did not cross-shop and would not set foot in anything with not US flag attached to it, even if it's made in China or Korea. The gas card will win many over.
It took a "scientist" to figure this out. Shees… I want that guy's job.
This is a guy with a biased opinion about autos and energy use in general. His statement is entirely self serving and he is being opportunistic with his timing.
But he is also correct concerning the value of this deal.
Of course he is pissed though. These cards arent going to urge people to drive less (therefore consume and pollute less). Which is his goal. This guy is one of many who smile at the thought of $6.00/Gal gas. In his mine that would teach the people who bought SUVs and trucks (that he hates) a lesson. That he believes they need. He is one of the few people whos business thrives and becomes more relevant as energy costs increase. He could care less if the US economy goes into the greatest recession of all time long as he is proven valid. He may wake up when he is paying $6 for a head of lettuce though.
aren't some of Chryslers cars just about average(meaning today not 3yrs from now) on mpg? plus the card doesn't cover the gas hungry models such as the SRT models- VIPER, the Wrangler- i doubt Chrysler is trying to turn the other cheek here with some quick fix, they are giving these to the buyer who buys their lower end cars while they work on their many problems- at least there aren't any strikes going on at Chrysler plants
Those "scientists" must really be pissed at Suzuki's "Free Gas for Summer Event"!
Hey Deanster dont bitches drive Wranglers……..that right you are a bitch.
^^^^^ Spoken like a true LLN gangsta
CHINA IS PUBLIC POLLUTER NUMBER ONE!
Typical left wing environmentalist wacko finding a way to bash an American car maker. Would have helped me, my Patriot gets 30 on the highway. So I guess some of Chrysler's vehicles do get good mileage.
don't forget - Cowboys/Cowgirls wear Wrangler jeans as well
Wrong SSEAN54, GM is.
I bet TugJob drives it with open toe sandals too.
^^^^ This is so funny knowing how g@y deanster is. 400's comments are my Popeye spinich.
From my experience, Chrysler like some of you said, has made some good, and some bad cars. Really, as of late I don't find ANY of their designs attractive, the best looking product in my opinion that they currently have is most likely the 300C or Pacifica.
But their reliability is down the toilet. I just don't feel like Chrysler really wants to make a great car, seeing how poorly the Sebring, Avenger, Nitro and new Liberty have done. Then again, maybe Cerberus doesn't know how to run a company.
And I thought they had learned something after AMC. Now THEY could put together a car with almost no real resources, and still were pretty innovative.
SigmaHyperion- I would have to agree with you, if it wasn't so easy to gain a few miles to the gallon on your car. Personally, I think we're going to be seeing corrosion resistant under bodies, more "one box", sleek designs and cars becoming more narrow in the rear compared to the front, which is what most concept vehicles are trending. Adding a simple front guard and a few minor CPU changes on an F-series Super Duty will increase miles per gallon by one or two, and only costing about $200 (that's coming from Ford's heavy duty department).
Shaver- Agreed.
jdash- I would put reliability close to the top, then ergonomics and then pricing. Imports got away with bad styling, but as a friend remarked a while back, "you could actually sit in a tiny Japanese car, and not get a kink in your back after a long drive". Styling has only recently become a major issue, and that only changed in the 70's and 80's gas crisis.
Wow! HHR and 400 have decided to be little fag-buddies to console themselves from the unstoppable barrage of ridicule they swallow daily on LLN.
See little fucktards, when you add zero + zero you still get zero. Now go lube up and jerk each other off, Ace and Gary, and leave the real insults to the big boys.
^Thats why i got everybody calling you TugJob, get on my level ho.
LMAO their cars are so shit that they're now offering free fuel with every purchase. hahaha what next?? they'll pay off your mortgage if you buy a Chrysler??