Chrysler answers questions about the “Refuel America” program
by Steve Cypher on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008We reported on the new Chrysler incentive program “Let’s Refuel America” last week. Since then, the folks at Chrysler have clarified how the program works.
From the company that introduced the word “rebate” to the automotive world
Here at Auto Credit Express, we had a number of questions about the new Chrysler incentive program that ends on June 2nd. Fortunately, the media people at Chrysler gave us the ten most-asked questions and the answers to them.
Q: How do you figure out the gallons on the card?
A: Take average MPG of any vehicle, divide into 12,000 miles and you get an annual allocation of gallons of fuel, for each of three years. For Example: Dodge Caliber, 24 MPG average. The customer’s card is allocated 500 gallons of unleaded fuel for each of three years. Total value is 1,500 gallons of gas x (price of gas - $2.99).
Q: Heavy Duty Ram trucks do not have a MPG on the sticker Price?
A: We are using 15 MPG for all Ram’s HD and LD. That equals 800 gallons of fuel per year at $2.99. That’s a lot of diesel dollars.
Q: How do I get charged? What about the receipt I get at the station?
A: While the gas price on the pump and on the customers’ receipt at the time of the transaction will show the actual gas price at that time, the customer credit card account is actually billed only $2.99 a gallon for their gas purchases and Chrysler picks up the difference. Regardless of the actual dollar figure shown on the receipt and the pump at the time of purchase the customer will only be charged at $2.99 per gallon. The customer’s Let’s Refuel America card must be connected to an active Visa or MasterCard credit card account.
Q: How do you keep the card from being used on other vehicles?
A: The card can be used for any vehicle as long as the fuel purchased is the fuel specified for the purchased vehicle.
Q: Are there specific filling stations you have to go to in order to get the $2.99/gallon price?
A: It is good at 97% of stations across the country.
Q: Is diesel fuel also $2.99 a gallon?
A: The purchased vehicle has a recommended fuel: Unleaded 87, E85 or Diesel. The card can only be used for that specific kind of fuel, and yes the cost will be $2.99 for diesel. If you use a card for purchase of a different kind of fuel than is specified for the purchased vehicle, there are additional charges.
Q: Is it only Trucks and SUVs?
A: No it is for the full line, starting with Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot and Dodge Caliber and minivans up to Dodge Ram pickup trucks. In fact in terms of incremental value compared to previous incentives, the greatest increase in value is with our smallest, most fuel efficient vehicles. Vehicles excluded include Viper, Challenger, all SRT models, Dodge Sprinter, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Chassis Cab.
Q: What happens if I sell my car?
A: While the card is linked specifically to the purchase of an specific vehicle, the card then can be used by the customer for any vehicle and is not effected by the status of the original vehicle.
Q: I understand this offer is in lieu of other incentives. Explain?
A: Customer has a choice of three basic options: Cashback incentive; lowered APR financing; or the Gas Program. On certain vehicles, like the Dodge Ram, the Gas Program option includes additional bonus cash. For example:
Dodge Grand Caravan customers have a choice of $2,500 cash incentive; 0% financing for qualified buyers; or the three year gas program including $500 cash. Caravan gets 19 MPG for a three year total of 1,895 gallons of fuel at $2.99.
On the website it says in the rules “Available on 2007 vehicles in select areas” - What are these areas and is that for new and used?
Jim,
I would recommend that you contact your local Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep dealer to find out if you live in an area that qualifies for the 2007 model program. To answer your second question, only new (untitled)vehicles qualify for the program. There are still some new 2007 vehicles on dealer lots.
Steve
My wife and I purchased a new Chrysler vehicle and enrolled in the Refuel America program in May. To date we have not recieved “the card” and calls to all program numbers have produced nothing but unkept promises of return calls and apologies that they do not know why the card has not been shipped.
I believe Chyrsler is waiting for the price to lower an additional $0.50 as it already has since our purchase.
DO you know of a contact at Chrysler LLC who cars about their customers?
Stan,
I contacted Eileen Wunderlich from Dodge Brand Communications at Chrysler LLC. Eileen was very helpful and concerned about your problem. She passed the information on to Reem Malkawi who works for the company handling the gas card portion of the program. According to Reem, although you purchased your vehicle on May 15th, you didn’t enroll in the program until May 30th. The 4-6 week timeframe means you should’ve received your card by the middle of July, but you didn’t receive yours until early August.
Reem is going to speak to their call center management regarding the poor service you received when you called about your card. They are also going to extend your card date by one month to 8/31/2010.
I hope that this helps you out.
Steve