Jalopnik: Free

Free Car Rentals for Frenchies! (Kind Of)

Travis Hudson — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:15:00 EST

Imagine New York City, still with all of the cabs — but minus the cab drivers — and you were free to take one on a joy ride of your own. That is the anarchic system the mayor of Paris is suggesting for the French city. Voiturelib' is its name (literally "free car"). And like the classic Ami 6, it's a bit wacky.

Approximately 2,000 electric cars would be spread out around the city. Subscribers to Voiturelib' would get to hop in one of the cars, take it for a joy ride in the city and dump it off for another Voiturelib' subscriber to pick up, no doubt smelling like cheese curds. No reservations or pre-planning would be required. The system would have minimal fees based on mileage used. The inspiration behind this program are statistics that 45 percent of Parisians own cars, but 95 percent of those cars are parked at any given time.

The vehicle pictures is one of the potential cars for the program. It is the Cleanova II that features the Renault Kangoo body, top speed of 80 mph and a four to eight hour charge time. This is one of those ideas that is just crazy enough to work. [Treehugger]

Hindenberg Anyone? GM Offers Free Fuel-Cell Cars to Consumers

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:45:00 EDT

Once again taking the free sample approach, the company that killed the electric car has decided to give 1,000 drivers the chance to drive the hydrogen-powered Equinox SUV's for three months. The company will also offer free hydrogen services (because who has hydrogen lying around the house?). The catch, other than having to be a guinea pig for GM researchers, you have to live in suburban LA, New York or Washington, D.C. to be a part of the program. You'll also probably have to sign a form that says you won't sue if the truck explodes. Go here to see if you're eligible. [Conde Nast Traveler]

Is the next big incentive from automakers ...

Ray Wert — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:05:00 EDT

Is the next big incentive from automakers free car insurance? Apparently they already be doing it down under, mate. [MSNBC]

Allstate Giving Away 20,000 Gallons Of Free Gas In Warren, MI Today!

Ray Wert — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:45:00 EDT

Allstate's rewarding the city of Warren, MI for its improvement in their national ranking of safe drivers with 20,000 gallons of free gas — to be handed out today in ten gallon fill-ups to any and all comers. The insurance company studied the driving records of residents of cities across 'merica and found Warren residents saw the average length between when they've filed accident claims increase by between 2 and 3 years — bumping them up to 13.3 years between smash-ups. We hear it's an absolute madhouse down at the corner of 13 Mile and Mound Rd for the gas giveaway with traffic congestion at levels not seen since the Big Boy Restaurants International headquarters "Great Beef Giveaway" back in '87. Late at night we can still remember the screams for more Slim Jims. – Ray Wert

Drivers line up to collect reward for safety in Warren [Freep]

Related:
More on Gas Prices [internal]

Hey Kids, Want Some Free Ferrari Stickers!

Ray Wert — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 09:48:26 EDT

Shell and Ferrari are giving away a sheet of stickers celebrating the racing sponsorship deal between the two companies for the 2007 racing season. Although the stickers are, you know, for the kids — we think the little sticker of Ferrari team members Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa giving a thumbs-up is super adorable for racing fans of all ages. So get 'em while supplies last! – Ray Wert

Free Sticker Set Give Away [Shell via Spoofee]

Keith Crain Opens Gates, Lets Peons In: Automotive News Free For The Week

Ray Wert — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 13:34:48 EST

The usually subscriber-only daily auto rag from the behemoth that is Crain Communications — the maker of such delightful reads as AdvertisingAge, TelevisionWeek, AutoWeek and the always fun Tire Business — has opened the doors to you, the everyman (or woman), for the rest of this week only. That's right, it's a December-to-remember event for Automotive News, and they're hoping it'll hook you like a fish on a little piece of sharpened metal and keep you coming back as a for-pay subscriber. And hell, we even hear that if you're one of the first 100 subscribers, you'll be entered to win a free Delphi plant — just remember to thank Keith on the way out for his benevolence. – Ray Wert

[Automotive News]

Related:
Hey, GM — There's Free Ice Cream Downstairs! [internal]

Ford UK Insures You'll Be Happy With This Deal

Ray Wert — Tue, 02 May 2006 11:48:54 EDT

Across the pond Ford-UK just announced a deal with Norwich Union to provide one year's free comprehensive motor insurance through Ford Insure plus one year's worth of free satellite navigation from Smartnav to eligible customers buying Ford Ka Design, Fiesta Style or StreetKa models. This is totally a brilliant idea we wish auto companies would start offering over here, especially if they can combine it with all the other accoutrements like repair, oil changes and the like — sorta what Chrysler's doing with the whole "Miles to Freedom" thing and BMW's been doin' for years — except with comprehensive collision. But seriously...

...this is totally a neat idea for those who want it. Yeah, it'll probably be pretty standard and basic coverage, but it's insurance — and nothing to shake a stick at. Who wouldn't love knowing you've got a one-stop shop for everything you need to drive your new car out of the dealership lot? Well, as long as your dealer isn't sucky, I guess.

Ford offers free Sat Nav and insurance [AskAPrice]