GM guarantees $1.99 gasoline in cali & florida!!!!!!!! EFing B.S. !!!!

b1gmoose

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This has got to be the most outrageous efing program out there! Why on earth would anybody subsidize the most greenhouse gas generating vehicles on the road? I don't normally get wound up on things like this, but I just can't believe it. Here's more money to Shell & Exxon, because GM does have to pick up the price tag on the difference between retail & $1.99. This is just unreal. More gas guzzlers, more pollution, and more proffits for big oil companies, more dangerous roads with drivers who don't care & drive trucks big enough to pulverize tiny fuel efficent honda's & vw's.

Sorry but I just ahd to vent & sorry about any poor spelling.

~ryan

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General Motors (GM) launches its gas-rebate promotion in California and Florida to help drivers save money and reduce their gas expenses, particularly those who mostly prefer fuel-thirsty SUVs and trucks. Dubbed as the “GM Fuel Price Protection Program,” it guarantees GM customers to pay only $1.99 gas rate when they purchase selected 2006 and 2007 GM full-size and mid-size car models (eligibility of vehicles may differ from California to Florida).

The entire process is tracked by the onboard OnStar navigation system. OnStar records customers' estimated fuel usage each month as well as the mileage rating for their vehicles. Customers will receive a monthly credit in form of a prepaid card for the difference between the average price per gallon of premium fuel in their state for an unlimited number of miles and the $1.99 gas price protection cap.

Credits are good until December 31, 2007 and may be used for purchases at any location that accepts MasterCard. Customers can calculate their potential savings based on their selected vehicle by logging on to Fuelprotection.com. TV, radio, print and interactive ads cover its promotion.

The program promotes some of the heaviest and thirstiest cars on the market such as the popular Hummer H2 and H3, Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon. GM hopes the measure will also help consumers focus on some of the company's more fuel-efficient vehicles, Buick Lucerne and Chevrolet Impala, which are also eligible for the program.
 

klufkee

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b1gmoose said:
The entire process is tracked by the onboard OnStar navigation system. OnStar records customers' estimated fuel usage each month as well as the mileage rating for their vehicles. Customers will receive a monthly credit in form of a prepaid card for the difference between the average price per gallon of premium fuel in their state for an unlimited number of miles and the $1.99 gas price protection cap.
Whoa Whoa Whoa Hang on here.

They track the miles you travel and divide by GM contrived MPG estimates? That's some real horse-hockey.

EPA doesn't rate the H2 because there's no point. (Or there's no provision for displaying less than a whole number in their database.)

GM says it will get 12 city / 16 highway.

Owners and other haters say its more like 8 / 10.
(Given the historically high hopes of manufacturer stated fuel economy, this makes sense.)

So here's the math and how it fails:

You drive 1000 miles.
You got an average of 9 MPG.
You bought 111.1 gallons of premium terrorist support.
You spent $350.00. ($3.15 / gallon assumed)

They say you drove 1000 miles.
They say you got 14 MPG.
They say you bought 71.43 gallons of premium terrorist support.
They say you spent $225.00. ($3.15 / gallon assumed. Who knows what figure they will use since they won't know what you paid.)
They give you a gift card in the amount of $82.14. (Which you will most likely spend on more gas. They're counting on it.)

This leaves you $42.86 short.

AND it only lasts until the end of the year. Then you're really hurting.

I'm'a get me a Hummer.

Bill K.
 

LurkerMike

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What's the difference in that and giving a $1,000 rebate?

The Hummer's probably get about 10 mpg. Say the owner drives about 10,000 miles per year, a general average for most people. That's 1,000 gallons of gas per year. At $3.00 per gallon average, GM would owe the owner only $1,000 per year in gas price rebates.

It would probably be a much better deal to get say $5,000 off of the price of the Hummer than the amount you will get back on gas rebates.

It is a gimmick that will get GM more PROFIT per vehicle! The GM bean counters aren't stupid. This is a well calculated program designed to trick the buyer into paying MORE for these vehicles than they otherwise would be willing to pay.

Me? It is a crime that bicycle lanes are not added to every road on the planet, starting in the USA!!!

I would immediately do over 50% of my commuting on a bicycle if there was a safe means to do so. Inclimate weather and distances over about 25 miles each way would still be by car, but these are less than 1/2 of all of my trips.
 

owr084

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Since the program is only available to FL and CA residents, I wonder if they only count the miles driven in that state? After all, onstar knows where you are...

And, you are forced to buy onstar as an option in order to get the money.
 

b1gmoose

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owr084 said:
Since the program is only available to FL and CA residents, I wonder if they only count the miles driven in that state? After all, onstar knows where you are...

And, you are forced to buy onstar as an option in order to get the money.
Probably counts only fuel purchased in those states. It'd suck to go on a road trip & pay $3.99/gal at a tourist hot spot out of state. Fill up that 30 gallon tank on that. See next month's rebate, and realize you're short by almost $60+.

Oh well .... just means in 2008 there will be a ton of Stupid Useless Vehicles on the trade in lots at GM dealerships. Gas will only get more expensive. The vehicles will have lower market value for trade in as fuel gets more expensive :). Way to vote with your shortsighted dollars America !. $1.99 gas get it while supplies last. But wait, there's more ...

~ryan
 

cptmox

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b1gmoose said:
This has got to be the most outrageous efing program out there! Why on earth would anybody subsidize the most greenhouse gas generating vehicles on the road? I don't normally get wound up on things like this, but I just can't believe it. Here's more money to Shell & Exxon, because GM does have to pick up the price tag on the difference between retail & $1.99. This is just unreal. More gas guzzlers, more pollution, and more proffits for big oil companies, more dangerous roads with drivers who don't care & drive trucks big enough to pulverize tiny fuel efficent honda's & vw's.

Sorry but I just ahd to vent & sorry about any poor spelling.
Easy now. This promotion makes FINANCIAL sense for GM. Instead of a $3-4k rebate, they float them a gas rebate package that comes out to < overall $$$. It makes sense to a company that is reaching for straws.

This is not the first company to do this. I've seen plenty of local dealerships, and I think Ford/Mazda did it for a while.

Politically, environmentally, and civic wise, it is damn irresponsible, but when has a car manufacturer done anything for any other reason but to sell cars.

For that matter, any company with a political agenda is probably founded and run by extreme right OR left wing wackos. Two examples: Exxon and Ben & Jerry's.

Obviously Exxon is caught up in politics, and will be a symbol of everything that is wrong with America until they go Enron.

An ice cream company has no business trying to influence my political views, and needs to concentrate on making more yummy flavors (which they are quite good at). My favorite is Chunky Monkey.
http://www.benjerry.com/our_company/our_mission/
 

tditom

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ryan-
Where did you get this story from? Do you have a link you could share?
 

tequilaiam

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This all pretty much supports the odd fact that people are really really annoyed by high gas and would rather spend extra thousands than an extra $20 to fill their tank.

I dont see how exxon or oil companies are behind this. This would make financial sense for GM....they get your money right now then pay you back a portion of that a little at a time for gas and keep the interest on your money. They probably know much Californians and floridans drive and have figured out most people will never drive enough to get it back.

Speaking of oil companies, you know makes more money on a gallon of gas than the oil company that found it, drilled it, refined it, shipped and delivered it?
The IRS!

 
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cptmox

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tequilaiam said:
This all pretty much supports the odd fact that people are really really annoyed by high gas and would rather spend extra thousands than an extra $20 to fill their tank.

I dont see how exxon or oil companies are behind this. This would make financial sense for GM....they get your money right now then pay you back a portion of that a little at a time for gas and keep the interest on your money. They probably know much Californians and floridans drive and have figured out most people will never drive enough to get it back.
Those people who go for the promotion will probably brag to all their friends how they are sticking it to GM by driving all they can in that first year. In reality, they've already been stuck by the General, and Mother Nature is the only one really getting bent over.
 

Cabrales

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And by tracking it through OnStar, GM will make even more profits because the buyers will plunk down the extra money for OnStar. It's sweet for GM. You got to give it to them. I can't blame GM for trying to make as much $$ as possible. I blame the public for being so poorly informed and shortsighted.
 

pepper10

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tequilaiam said:
This all pretty much supports the odd fact that people are really really annoyed by high gas and would rather spend extra thousands than an extra $20 to fill their tank.
Yup. Just look at all those hybrid car owners who drive mostly highway....
 

pepper10

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Cabrales said:
And by tracking it through OnStar, GM will make even more profits because the buyers will plunk down the extra money for OnStar. It's sweet for GM. You got to give it to them. I can't blame GM for trying to make as much $$ as possible. I blame the public for being so poorly informed and shortsighted.
No so fast... you get the first year of OnStar free when you buy the car new. Those who buy after the first of the year are all set pending that promotion to last that long. Those who buy before will have to pay.. Coming to think of it, since the promo most likely won't last that long, I must salute GM for forcing their own customers to subscribe to their service.. Man, I always said it sucks to drive a GM....;)
 

cptmox

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ScorpionBoy said:
it is just a sales spiff. what is the big deal?
It's kind of like going out to a bar/club on New Years Eve. Certain places offer cover charge, drinks, food, party favors, and free coat check all rolled up into one convenient >$100 cost. Now, I know that I can't drink $100 worth of alcohol in one night, but it sure is fun trying.

The big deal? Just like an all-you-can-eat buffet, everyone tries to get their money's worth. You'll never see more overly drunk people gathered together in one place. It's an irresponsible approach to making money.

The downside for the bar, is controlling all the drunks.
The downside for GM and their promotion is all the negative PR.
 

RT1

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Interesting article about the plight of the "big" car makers. If their profit for suv's and trucks is in the $10,000+ range and the profit on an economy car measured in the $1,000 range I can see why they'll try any ploy to get the big stuff off the lot. Man,... that's going to be a lot of laid off workers...
who'd ever think GM would go under...
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/business/worldbusiness/28auto.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
 

tequilaiam

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RT1 said:
Interesting article about the plight of the "big" car makers. If their profit for suv's and trucks is in the $10,000+ range and the profit on an economy car measured in the $1,000 range I can see why they'll try any ploy to get the big stuff off the lot. Man,... that's going to be a lot of laid off workers...
who'd ever think GM would go under...
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/28/business/worldbusiness/28auto.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
I liked this quote
"But as you know, our product plans take several years to unfold,” Mr. Ford said in a conference call with reporters and analysts last week. “Do I wish we had them all out this year in response” to high gas prices? he asked rhetorically. “ Heck yes, I do.” Still, he said, the company’s future product plan now takes $3 gas into account"

Kind of like when gas went to $2.00 they all scoffed and said "people will still by trucks at $2/gal. But they didn't seem to look out further than that. Maybe the do account for $3 gas, but what about $3.50 or $4?

I hate to say it, but the car companies in my beloved USA sure don't seem to plan more than 1 quarter ahead. But Mr. Ford is right that it still takes years to unfold new products.
 

MrMopar

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klufkee said:
EPA doesn't rate the H2 because there's no point. (Or there's no provision for displaying less than a whole number in their database.)
*snicker* That's actually REALLY funny.

Ah well, GM is on a race to the bottom with their rebates and incentives. This just throws gas on the fire.
 

40X40

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The cost of the program to GM is built into the purchase price of the
vehicle.
No big deal, just semi-clever marketing.

Remember;
TANSTAAFL
"There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch." Robert Heilein

Bill
 

b1gmoose

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cptmox said:
An ice cream company has no business trying to influence my political views, and needs to concentrate on making more yummy flavors (which they are quite good at). My favorite is Chunky Monkey.
http://www.benjerry.com/our_company/our_mission/
Ditto on the political business.

But I do love having Ben & Jerry's just down the road from me :) Even their factory seconds taste great. The factory is about an hour away and one of their larger shops is 15 mins down the road :).

I have friends that work for them, so it's nice to have samples, or if I do computer work for them, they pay with Ben & Jerry's :).

~ryan
 

03_01_TDI

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For all the SUV haters, alot of cars and trucks get the same MPG as SUV. The little Mazda RX8, Honda s2000, and other cars get less than 24mgs.

Stop wasting time bashing SUV. Bash the two party politcal system that for the past 50 years have done nothing but beat up on the working middle class American. Be it Oil, auto makers, or body shops. They all have the hands in BOTH political parties. They win and we loose. VOTE.

Don't you wonder why neither politcal party a few years back did NOTHING to help with fuel prices or high demands. Perhaps IF they would have temporary allowed ANY car that got over 35mpg or truck/SUV that got over 30mpg to be imported. Then there would be alot more higher MPG Diesel cars, trucks and SUVs. BMW, Benz and Land Rover all sell SUV;s with diesels engines that get 8-15 MORE mpgs than the gasser engines sold in the two party controlled America. Not to mention the VW Lupo that gets 65+ mpg. But heck I was able to sell my wifes Jetta after three years of driving it for the SAME price I paid! And it needed all new tires and an oil change. Could have asked for more!

So get informed, learn about the other parties, and Vote.
 

Steve-o

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tequilaiam said:
I hate to say it, but the car companies in my beloved USA sure don't seem to plan more than 1 quarter ahead.
Hardly any publicly-held company in the U.S. plans much further than one quarter ahead because that's what the stock market enforces. You know things are off-tilt when a company's stock gets beat up because the company exceeded earnings projections.

But Mr. Ford is right that it still takes years to unfold new products.
Well, maybe it takes Ford years ... but Toyota, the benchmark in this category, is increasingly doing it in half the time. The Camry Solara went from signoff to street in 19 months and the Siena took only 22 months. Toyota is shooting for 18 months average. Even GM is getting better at this, with the Cobalt taking just 24 months in product development. Ford had better find a way to hustle.
 

katipo

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b1gmoose said:
Ditto on the political business.

But I do love having Ben & Jerry's just down the road from me :) Even their factory seconds taste great. The factory is about an hour away and one of their larger shops is 15 mins down the road :).

I have friends that work for them, so it's nice to have samples, or if I do computer work for them, they pay with Ben & Jerry's :).

~ryan
I have to ask...what makes a factory second. Umm...a smattering of E. Coli perhaps?? Just doesn't sound right. As for me having a few Braums in town satisfies my ice cream needs....and no.. they don't sell seconds.
 
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cptmox

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03_01_TDI said:
For all the SUV haters, alot of cars and trucks get the same MPG as SUV. The little Mazda RX8, Honda s2000, and other cars get less than 24mgs.

Stop wasting time bashing SUV. Bash the two party politcal system that for the past 50 years have done nothing but beat up on the working middle class American. Be it Oil, auto makers, or body shops. They all have the hands in BOTH political parties. They win and we loose. VOTE.

Don't you wonder why neither politcal party a few years back did NOTHING to help with fuel prices or high demands. Perhaps IF they would have temporary allowed ANY car that got over 35mpg or truck/SUV that got over 30mpg to be imported. Then there would be alot more higher MPG Diesel cars, trucks and SUVs. BMW, Benz and Land Rover all sell SUV;s with diesels engines that get 8-15 MORE mpgs than the gasser engines sold in the two party controlled America. Not to mention the VW Lupo that gets 65+ mpg. But heck I was able to sell my wifes Jetta after three years of driving it for the SAME price I paid! And it needed all new tires and an oil change. Could have asked for more!

So get informed, learn about the other parties, and Vote.
Your right, we blast SUVs too much for our problems. We also blast the automakers and the govt. too much as well. The American consumer's buying habits should hold most of the blame. Until recently, the EPA fuel economy numbers on the window sticker played second fiddle to 0-60 numbers. And even with gas prices where they are, SUVs and fast cars are still popular.

-22" rims won't fit on a Honda Fit.
-A Hemi engine can produce some great smokey burnouts.
-If you put the kids on the same bench seat, they're gonna fight. They each need their own bench seat. AND mom and dad are too cool for a minivan.

Carmakers are just giving us what we want.*

*The EPA capitulated to the CARB states on diesel emission standards, so we can only have the cleanest diesels in the world. That drastically limits what will work over here, and more importantly, what will be economically viable over here. VW could perhaps get the Lupo to pass our emissions standards, but it wouldn't pass the economic common sense test. Thats the same problem that hybrids are experiencing; it takes far too long to recoup your initial investment.

In this respect, our govt. screwed us.
 

b1gmoose

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katipo said:
I have to ask...what makes a factory second. Umm...a smattering of E. Coli perhaps?? Just doesn't sound right. As for me having a few Braums in town satisfies my ice cream needs....and no.. they don't sell seconds.
Factory seconds are from too much or too little sugar, or not enough nuts / gallon in the final product, etc.

~ryan
 

03_01_TDI

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cptmox said:
VW could perhaps get the Lupo to pass our emissions standards, but it wouldn't pass the economic common sense test.
In this respect, our govt. screwed us.
Geo Metroe, Ford Fiesta, Kia, Honda Fit, Insights, Yaris,,, etc etc all are selling at a good rate.

The VW Lupo is a cheap car that can be fitted to have all the good options. And still get 60mpg. The car would sell. Just like the other 50 or so small and midsize cars and SUVs that are sold with diesel engines overseas.

MB ml270 diesel SUV and the BMW x5 diesel all get great mpg for a SUV,. They would sell like hot cakes.

"And with a combined consumption figure of 29.7mpg there's scant penalty for two-pedal motoring. The 6-speed manual returns just 3mpg more, at 30mpg. It seems that the more refined diesel engines become these days, the harder it is to make a case for choosing a thirstier petrol engine. Despite a lot of hard-charging during our week-long test, the ML returned an impressive 30mpg overall. Another bonus is the larger fuel tank. Now 18.26 gallons, up from 15.4, it means that 550 miles between forecourt visits is something you can bank on, given the LM's achievable 35.3mpg touring consumption. " http://www.motorbar.co.uk/ml270.htm

But big brother won't allow the ml270 at 30mpg. But will ALLOW the ml55 AMG V8 5.5 l "flagship 55 AMG model is a real flyer, hitting 145mph and rocketing to 62mph in under 7 seconds." to be sold in the US. So no 30mpg but yes to the 10mpg. Real smart.
 
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