Chrysler's "Let's Refuel America" incentive was pretty soundly panned when it was announced in May. Consumer Reports did the math and agreed that getting gas for $2.99 a gallon for the next three years is not a deal. Customers apparently agree that the gas card incentive isn't worth it, since only about 5-10 percent of Chrysler buyers have opted for the promo (which locks out other options). Still, Chrysler doesn't have much else to offer these days, and so has decided to extended the promotion through July 31 rather than let this thing die a quiet death.

The bright side for Chrysler is that, the company claims, "The program continues to help improve showroom traffic and drive sales of the company's most fuel-efficient vehicles." Customers who bought Chrysler Sebring Sedans, Dodge Journeys, Dodge Calibers and Dodge Avengers were most likely to opt in to this deal.

Who's waiting for the program to be extended yet again in a few weeks?

[Source: Chrysler LLC]

Chrysler's "Let's Refuel America" incentive, in which the automaker gave out gas cards which guarantees fuel at $2.99 a gallon, has not proven very successful at all. After the program was initially launched, critics were quick to point out its flaws, and it appears that the car buying public was smart enough to see past the tactic as well. It's easy to understand that offering fuel at lower prices is no way to reduce its consumption, but it's the unfavorable financial information which likely proves the most harmful to the campaign. After all, it's difficult to get excited about something which is going to end up costing you more money in the long run.

Consumer Reports did a bit of math itself and found the incentive program to be lacking in sense. The results of its numbers crunching can be found here, though the short version is that buyers who choose normal incentives will save money over those who choose the gas card. Note, Consumer Reports only compared vehicles from Chrysler that it recommends.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

If you're trying to conserve fuel, making said fuel cheaper doesn't help the cause. If you're trying to sell cars, making the stuff they run on cheaper might help. But one thing is for certain, not everyone is a fan of Chrysler's new "Let's Refuel America Gas Card."

As we calculated this morning, the incentive will likely only save a driver a few hundred bucks a year. As ABG reader Dan pointed out in a comment on the original post, buyers need to give up any other incentives currently available in order to get the gas card, and some of those deals are much bigger than $1,200 (the gas plan is in effect for three years). Automotive News is reporting that the Union of Concerned Scientists has got their own phrase for the plan: a "cynical deal." Here's the kicker, the Union's statement continues:

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. 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.

Still, Suzuki knows a way to attracts potential buyer eyeballs when it sees one, and has announced its own fuel program: buy a new Suzuki before the end of June and get three months of free - totally free - fuel. Of course, if you think $400 a year isn't a good reason to buy a new car, don't bother doing the math on three months of no cost fuel. The automakers are playing on fears of high gas prices and hope you can't, or don't, do the math.

[Source: Automotive News (subs req'd) via Autoblog]

Ever hear of Pricelock? It's a service for fleet operators to purchase gas in bulk at a set price to buffer the company budget from rising fuel fluctuations. Chrysler thinks that new car buyers should be able to participate as well, through the company's new "Let's Refuel America Gas Card."

Chrysler announced a three-year $2.99 price guarantee on fuel costs to anyone who buys a new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle between tomorrow and June 2. Certain vehicles, like SRT models, Vipers, Crossfires and Sprinters, are excluded. Other limiting factors are that you can only buy fuel (regular gas, diesel or E85) that works in your new car and there's an annual limit based on driving 12,000 miles. So, there won't be a lot of hooking up your friends through this deal. The deal works at any gas station because the savings are taken care through a credit card on file with Chrysler; the fuel supplier charges the full price, and Chrysler pays the difference.

Let's calculate this out. Pretend you're about to buy a PT Cruiser convertible. The EPA says it gets 21 mpg (combined). So, 12,000 miles at 21 mpg is 571 gallons. At today's average gas price of $3.61 a gallon, you'll be saving 62 cents a gallon. During the first year, that's $354. Over three years - should gas prices stay the same (ha!) - you're talking $1,000, easy. Is that enough to make you want to buy a Chrysler? In any case, should prices ever dip below $2.99, nothing will stop you from paying for your gas without using the Chrysler-bound card. Get more details after the jump.