Vernon Theisen checks out a Jeep Compass in hopes of eliminating his pain at the pump. He currently fills up this SUV. "50 to 60 dollars a week for gas, that's starts putting a little bind on you," Theisen said.
Theisen is among a growing number of drivers eyeing more fuel efficient vehicles as gas prices continue rising. The Compass as well as the Jeep Patriot, both made at Chrysler's Belvidere plant, are drawing lots of attention. "I have people in here every day asking about a Compass or a Patriot," said Pierre LaFranca, a sales manager at Jack Wolf Jeep in Belvidere. He says his sales for these two cars make up a quarter of his current business. That's about 30 percent more than last year at this time. LaFranca says fuel economy and its effect on payments are driving these jeeps off the lots. "In most cases, 75 to 100 percent of the car payment is made by fuel savings alone," LaFranca said. "While better gas mileage is a big factor in driving folks into these cars, dealers say so is support for a homegrown product. "A big part of our business is the employee purchases or friends and family purchases," LaFranca said. For Theisen, he likes the look and room of these cars too. An overall package he's leaning toward right now to get whatever relief he can on those weekly trips to the pump. Dealers say the Dodge Caliber, also made at the Bevlidere Chrysler plant, is selling well too. 23 News asked a Chrysler spokesman if the increased sales mean bringing back more jobs to Belvidere. He says right now there are no plans to do that. But in the mean time, some folks are coming in now and then to work part-time for people on vacations.