2005-2006 Auto Sales Come With Several Key Bonuses

Because new car sales are slumping, Chrysler is adding some hot add-ons to most new cars it sells. 

Popular cars like the Dodge Charger are excluded.

DaimlerChrysler’s Chrysler division on Thursday said it was raising its customer incentives and offering buyers more than $2,000 worth of free gasoline in a bid to combat slumping U.S. auto sales.

Chrysler spokesman Kevin McCormick said that starting next Monday the automaker would offer U.S. car buyers a debit card with $2,367 in credit to use for the purchase of gasoline.

The card will be given to customers who purchase most of the company’s 2005 and 2006 model year vehicles. Hot-selling models including the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum are not included, however.

McCormick said Chrysler would also begin offering car buyers two years of free scheduled maintenance and an extended five-year, or 60,000-mile warranty.

It remains to be seen if these incentives are enough to push new car sales back into the black.

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• Chrysler ups incentives
  Extended warranties, free gasoline, free maintenance