Chrysler is offering to subsidize the cost of gasoline for car and truck buyers in the United States — but rivals General Motors, Toyota and Ford said yesterday they have no plans to match it.
The maker of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles on Monday night announced an offer that caps the price of gasoline at $2.99 US a gallon for three years for U.S. customers who buy or lease new vehicles from today through June 2. The offer covers most of its models and is based on 12,000 miles of driving per year and the vehicle’s U.S. government fuel economy rating.
Customers will get a card for buying gas that is linked to their own charge account, Chrysler said. The customer will be billed $2.99 a gallon, and Chrysler will pay the rest.
Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor Corp. has made a similar offer in the U.S., with free gas for the summer.
General Motors Corp. said it tried a gas payment promotion two years ago in Florida and California with little impact on sales.
