Suzuki promotes free gas, other incentives

Suzuki promotes free gas, other incentives - AutoWeek Magazine

There's also a reference to Chrysler's gimmick:
'On Monday, May 5, Chrysler said it will cover gasoline costs above $2.99 a gallon for customers who buy or lease a new vehicle from the company. The offer is limited to the first three years customers use their cars and is calculated to cover up to 12,000 miles per year.

So far, Suzuki and Chrysler are the only automakers to launch gas price promotions.

An environmental group also responded Tuesday, calling the Chrysler promotion “a cynical deal.†The Union of Concerned Scientists said Chrysler is trying to fool consumers into overlooking its vehicles' poor fuel economy and environmental performance.

“At the current price of $3.61 a gallon, the buyer of an average Chrysler vehicle would save $400 a year under Chrysler’s deal,†said David Friedman, research director for the group’s Clean Vehicles Program.

“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.â€'