Hyundai first to offer a locked down gas price this year... At $1.49 per

[xcel]

EPA FE/12,000 miles = Not much.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - June 30, 2009

2009 Hyundai Elantra - $14,120 to start and 28 mpgUS combined.

Fountain Valley, CA. -- With gas prices expected to push over $3 per gallon during peak summer travel months, Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock guarantees a year's worth of gas at $1.49 per gallon on most Hyundai models leased or purchased between July 1 and August 31, 2009. Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock complements Hyundai Assurance and Hyundai's 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty, and is available with special rebate and financing options on individual models.

Hyundai’s Gimmick

The average U.S. price for regular-grade gasoline closed at $2.69 per gallon, 64 cents higher than its price at the end of April. Regular-grade gasoline prices are expected to reach their summer seasonal peak in July, with a monthly average close to $2.70 per gallon, and many local markets over $3.00 per gallon. Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock enables consumers to save between $1 and $1.50 per gallon at the pump from current gas prices with the purchase of a new Hyundai.

For a Hyundai Elantra rate at 28 mpgUS combined; the savings amounts to less than $515.00 at today’s fuel prices. After 12,000 miles, you are on your own.

"Our research shows that nearly 40 percent of potential new car buyers are staying out of the market specifically due to uncertainty around future gas prices," said John Krafcik, CEO and president of Hyundai Motor America. "With Assurance Gas Lock, we're empowering consumers with gas price stability so they can make a confident vehicle choice. And for those buyers out there driving older gas-guzzlers that qualify for the new government CARS program, we think our fuel-efficient lineup of award-winning vehicles, combined with Assurance Gas Lock, makes Hyundai an unbeatable combination."

To sign up for Hyundai Assurance Gas Lock, new Hyundai owners simply register their valid Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card, or a Visa or MasterCard check card, at hyundai.pricelock.com. After enrolling, the consumer will receive a new Hyundai Assurance-branded card to be used for all future fill ups. The consumer is billed $1.49 per gallon of regular-grade gasoline, regardless of the price at the pump, and Hyundai pays the rest. (The driver may elect to purchase mid-grade gasoline for $1.64 per gallon, or premium gas for $1.79 per gallon as well, although all eligible Hyundai vehicles are factory-certified for regular fuel.) The card can be used at any gas station in the Voyager credit card network, which covers 93 percent of gas stations nationwide including brands such as Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell, Mobil, 76, Texaco and many more. Consumers are eligible to purchase a maximum number of gallons equal to 12,000 miles divided by the EPA combined fuel economy rating for the qualifying model.

Hopefully the average consumer considers the next 140,000 miles with much higher fuel costs before jumping on this short term sales scheme promoting low FE vehicles

[99LeCouch]

Isn't the Assurance program limited to the Accent, Elantra, Sonata, and Santa Fe? If that's the case, then you already have some fairly efficient cars being offered. And getting people into a new car isn't the worst thing.

Yeah, it's a gimmick. However, you can bet it'll get more people into Elantras and Accents that wouldn't have considered them before. And 28 mpg combined for the Elantra isn't too shabby. Unfortunately the Sonata isn't terribly efficient, even in 4 cylinder trim.

[xcel]

Hi 99LeCouch:

___I left out which Hyundai models are included in this gimmick (basically all of them) because it really doesn't matter when you consider the following and what I hope most get out of this kind of scheme.

___Purchasing an Elantra at 28 mpgUS means we are only 35% addicted to foreign oil vs. 50%. Purchasing a Prius means we are not addicted to any foreign oil at 50 mpg.

___And the kicker according to intellichoice.

2010 Toyota Prius-III (Package -II) – Total Cost of Ownership = $24,467
2009 Hyundai Elantra (GLS w/ AT) – Total Cost of Ownership = $28,209

___Which vehicle should and which vehicle would you want to drive for the next 150,000 miles? It is not even close

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[Ophbalance]

well... but I can tell you straight up, that I could front the funds now for a 15k '08 Elantra (figure going one model year old at 12k miles) but not a 21k '08 Prius (similar equation). Even if it meant that over the next 10 years it'd save me money in the end. I suspect that way more people are floating in the same boat that I reside .

[xcel]

Hi Matthew:

___Yet another good point...

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[HyperMiler]

FE EPA/25,000 for me = I'd take it!

[99LeCouch]

Every bit helps.

This isn't the best situation with Hyundai not bringing their hybrids to the US anytime soon. However, cheap, reliable, likable fuel sippers that people buy are a step in the right direction. Especially for Americans conditioned to want giant SUV's and minivans.

As xcel points out, it's still too small a step.

[Sulfuric]

If you average EPA then you get 12000 miles worth of gasoline. If one of us bought a new elantra, I bet that we could extend that all the way to 20k. Average...about 45mpg? That saves quite of bit of money.

[Ophbalance]

As someone who drives an A/T Elantra, 45 average is very hard to hit . They do fairly well on the highway, but surface streets will just kill it.

[Sulfuric]

Originally Posted by Ophbalance

As someone who drives an A/T Elantra, 45 average is very hard to hit . They do fairly well on the highway, but surface streets will just kill it.

What about in a manual??