After the Japanese manufacturers, Mitsubishi, decided to offer an year’s supply of gasoline for the purchase of a car to the United States, Daimler Chrysler has followed suit and taken a step forward by offering two years of free gasoline for its buyers. They are also offering 24,000 miles of free maintenance and a guarantee of five years or 60,000 miles. The whole package will approximately cost Chrysler around $3200.



The program is called the “Miles of Freedom Plan”, and starts on the 21st of November and go on till the 3rd of January, next year. Chrysler proposes it in the United States on its American makes, except for the models which are sold all alone: the Chrysler 300, Viper, Magnum and Sprinter and family SRT8. And if the scheme functions well, the scheme might be launched in Europe as well. Now, who says it is difficult to sell.



The program offers:



1. A debit card for $2,400 - the amount of money Chrysler has calculated that would be needed to buy 12,000 miles worth of gasoline for two years at the corporate average fuel economy rate of 21.8 miles per gallon. The plan is based on a $2.15 per gallon price of gasoline.



2. Free scheduled maintenance for as many as 24,000 miles.



3. A five-year, 60,000-mile full mechanical warranty, compared with the standard three-year, 36,000-mile warranty.



4. Excluded from the program are the 2005 and 2006 Chrysler 300; Dodge Viper, Magnum, Charger and Sprinter; and all SRT8 vehicles.



Customers can also choose from existing Chrysler rebates instead of the program. Those rebates range from $500 to $5,500 cash back on 2005 and 2006 models. This move also counters the new programs launched this week by rivals General Motors and Ford Motor Co.



GM’s “Red Tag” offers consumer vehicles at prices slightly higher than the supplier discounted price.



Ford’s “Keep It Simple” plan rolls discounts and rebates into a new bottom-line price on vehicle stickers.







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