Edmunds' AutoObserver Blog

May 9, 2008 - News from AutoObserver.com

Hi,

Here are some highlights from Edmunds’ AutoObserver.com this week. As always, there is more available directly on www.autoobserver.com:   

Hybrids "Paying Off" More Quickly, New Edmunds Data Shows - As gasoline prices go higher, many hybrid-electric vehicles currently on sale are proving to be even wiser investments. Considerable past discussion about hybrids has focused on "payback" time, or the period required for savings from a hybrid's enhanced fuel economy to recoup the initial higher purchase price a hybrid commands. But with every increase in gas prices, the hybrid payback time becomes consequently shorter - to the point where some popularly-priced hybrid models can pay back their owners' investment in as little as 18 months. For more information on this story, visit http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/05/hybrids-paying-off-more-quickl.html.

Dodge Journey Ads a Hit, But Ford’s Drive One Has Mixed Impact - Chrysler’s advertising campaign for its new Dodge Journey crossover has greatly boosted initial online interest in the vehicle. On the other hand, the new omnibus marketing effort launched by Ford recently, Drive One, isn’t packing nearly the same punch. For more information on this story and an analysis of the advertising campaigns, visit http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/05/dodge-journey-a.html.

Chrysler Unveils New Gas-Price Guarantee Incentive: "Let’s Refuel America" - Chrysler announced Monday evening that it will launch a new incentive program, called “Let’s Refuel America,” that  guarantees buyers of most of its vehicles $2.99 a gallon gasoline for the next three years. It comes as no surprise that Chrysler is offering a gas-related incentive: Current hefty cash incentives seem to be doing little to move the metal. For more information on this story, visit http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/05/chrysler-unveil.html.

UAW Strikes GM Where It Hurts Most -- in the ‘Bu- The United Auto Workers union struck -- literally -- General Motors where it hurts most -- at the automaker’s Kansas City, Kansas, factory that builds the fast-selling Chevrolet Malibu, already in tight supply. The supposed hangup is over seniority issues and work rules. However, many experts believe the strike -– and ones threatened at other GM plants –- has less to do with local GM issues than it does to show support of its union brothers at American Axle, on strike against the GM supplier for more than 70 days. For more information on this story, visit http://www.autoobserver.com/2008/05/uaw-strikes-gm.html.

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