Consumer Alert: GM Ups Warranty

To the Point

By Brian Chee

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.

Click next for the best available powertrain warranties.

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.

Click next for the best available powertrain warranties.

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

General Motors

General Motors's powertrain warranty (includes Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn): 5 years or 100,000 miles

Isuzu

Isuzu's powertrain warranty: 7 years or 75,000 miles

Lexus

Lexus's powertrain warranty: 6 years or 70,000 miles (Hybrid components covered for 8/100,000)

Infiniti

Infiniti's powertrain warranty: 6 years or 70,000 miles

Acura

Acura's powertrain warranty: 6 years or 70,000 miles

Honda

Honda's powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles (Hybrid components covered for 8/100,000)

Subaru

Subaru's powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Toyota

Toyota/Scion's powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles (Hybrid components covered for 8/100,000)

Volkswagen

Volkswagen's powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Nissan

Nissan's powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Ford, Lincoln, Mercury

Ford, Lincoln and Mercury's powertrain warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Photos courtesy of Ron Perry, and the automakers

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