SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A FUEL PURCHASE INCENTIVE WITH THE SALE OF A VEHICLE
First Claim
1. A method operable on a computer to provide a customer a program price for an automotive fuel, comprising:
- determining usage information for a customer;
determining, based on the usage information, a hedge strategy for a vehicle fuel;
determining the program price based upon the hedge strategy;
establishing for the customer an account including an account identifier;
guaranteeing to the customer a quantity of the vehicle fuel at the program price; and
storing the program price in association with the account identifier on the computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fuel purchase incentive is provided incident to the sale of a vehicle. With respect to the sale of an automobile, the incentive consists of a program price, for example a discount price or a capped maximum price, for a specified quantity of a specified brand and type of gasoline. The incentive is calculated as a function of the anticipated fuel use factors of the automobile buyer. The incentive information is provided to the buyer at the time of purchase of the automobile and stored for use by an incentive program operator. When the buyer purchases gasoline pursuant to the incentive program, the buyer recognizes the program price through the provision of a rebate, credit, real-time discount or other appropriate mechanism. Program sponsors may participate in the fuel incentive program, for example providing a payment(s) to the program operator in exchange for establishing a relationship with a customer under the program. The program operator may hedge the financial risks associated with the volatility of fuel prices. Different mechanisms are provided whereby the customer may identify himself as a program participant, select a payment mechanism or account under the program and receive the program price. The invention has application to vehicles other than automobiles and fuels other than gasoline. In one embodiment, a hedge program may be developed to offset the risk associated with guaranteeing the price of the fuel.
41 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method operable on a computer to provide a customer a program price for an automotive fuel, comprising:
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determining usage information for a customer;
determining, based on the usage information, a hedge strategy for a vehicle fuel;
determining the program price based upon the hedge strategy;
establishing for the customer an account including an account identifier;
guaranteeing to the customer a quantity of the vehicle fuel at the program price; and
storing the program price in association with the account identifier on the computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for providing a customer a program price for an automotive fuel, comprising:
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a processor;
a memory storing control instructions operative with the processor to perform the steps of determining usage information for a customer;
determining, based on the usage information, a hedge strategy for a vehicle fuel;
determining the program price based upon the hedge strategy;
establishing for the customer an account including an account identifier;
guaranteeing to the customer a quantity of the vehicle fuel at the program price; and
storing the program price in association with the account identifier on the computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for providing a customer a program price for an automotive fuel, comprising:
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means for determining usage information for a customer;
means for determining, based on the usage information, a hedge strategy for a vehicle fuel;
means for determining the program price based upon the hedge strategy;
means for establishing for the customer an account including an account identifier;
means for guaranteeing to the customer a quantity of the vehicle fuel at the program price; and
means for storing the program price in association with the account identifier on the computer.
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25. A program product storing control instructions operable on a computer to provide a customer a program price for an automotive fuel, the control instructions operating the computer to perform the steps comprising:
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determining usage information for a customer;
determining, based on the usage information, a hedge strategy for a vehicle fuel;
determining the program price based upon the hedge strategy;
establishing for the customer an account including an account identifier;
guaranteeing to the customer a quantity of the vehicle fuel at the program price; and
storing the program price in association with the account identifier on the computer.
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Specification