.jpg)
To the Point
September 6, 2006 -- General Motors took another step on the comeback trail today, upping the standard powertrain warranty on all of its 2007 models to five years or 100,000 miles. The increase, up from three years/36,000 miles, gives GM a warranty on par with those offered by Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi (10/100,000) and Suzuki (7/100,000). The move is intended to boost resale values, and comes at a time when GM has enjoyed improved quality scores from companies such as J.D. Power & Associates. This is the second warranty boost this year for a domestic automaker: earlier, Ford Motor Co. increased the length of warranties on all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles to five years/60,000 miles.
Why it Matters
So – what does this mean for Isuzu, now that General Motors offers a better warranty on the same vehicles? Yikes – parting is such sweet sorrow…
The new warranty is a significant boost in protection, and a great way to win the hearts and minds of car shoppers. Now, if the quality of its new cars and trucks proves close to what’s being offered by the likes of Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, GM will win many new sales. And judging from the new Saturn Aura, the Chevrolet Tahoe and other impressive GM vehicles, import automakers would be wise to gear up: Big Daddy’s back.
Hyundai
Hyundai’s powertrain warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Kia
Kia's powertrain warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi's powertrain warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Suzuki
Suzuki's powertrain warranty: 7 years or 100,000 miles
|
About Brian Chee
Prior to joining Autobytel in the Spring of 2000, Brian Chee spent 15 years as a writer and editor in his native southern California, his work appearing in a wide variety of regional newspapers and online publications. As an editor at Autobytel, Brian has been quoted in numerous regional and national publications, including the Wall St. Journal and InStyle Magazine. He is responsible for writing, editing and planning content for three of the company’s consumer websites: autobytel.com, autoweb.com and carsmart.com. His “beat” includes vehicle reviews, features, news and Auto Show coverage. Brian considers himself a “SoCal” car enthusiast: the kind who grades a car on how it handles today’s urban and suburban reality of daily traffic gridlock, rising fuel prices and fast-paced lifestyles. Brian is an Eagle Scout, a member of the Automotive Press Association, the Motor Press Guild, and the California State University Advisory Board for Internet Writing. Brian holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism.
|
