Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles Get New Name and Features

2011-06-10

DETROIT – Starting Saturday, two years of standard maintenance including oil changes will be part of purchasing a Certified Pre-Owned Chevrolet, Buick or GMC vehicle as General Motors moves to tie pre-owned cars, trucks and crossovers to its brands.

Owner Care, a first in the certified pre-owned vehicle industry that includes a two-year/30,000-mile standard vehicle maintenance program, will cover oil changes based on each vehicle’s Oil Life Monitor system, tire rotations, and multi-point vehicle inspections at no charge to the customer.

The Certified Pre-Owned program bearing the Chevrolet, Buick and GMC names will continue to offer a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and a five-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty with 24-hour roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. A more rigorous 172-point inspection – increased from 117 points – and reconditioning along with free trials of OnStar and Sirius/XM Satellite Radio will remain standard.

“Customers demand more value for their money, and we have responded,” said Jennifer Costabile, general director of marketing and sales support, GM Fleet and Commercial Operations.  “We believe our enhanced program offers our customers an outstanding experience from the moment they drive their Chevrolet, Buick or GMC Certified Pre-Owned vehicle off of the lot.”

The GM Certified Used Vehicle brand in the United States is being phased out. The Cadillac Certified Pre-Owned program will continue unchanged.

According to Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations, adding more value to the GM Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle program will ultimately help the company sell more new vehicles.

“One of the most important things we can do is manage the business to help increase the value of Chevrolet, Buick and GMC used vehicles,” Johnson said. “This increased value gives potential new vehicle customers more for their trade-ins, thereby lowering their ownership costs.”

For more information about Chevrolet/Buick/GMC Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, to locate a dealer or to learn about the details of the warranty and benefits, please visit www.gmcertified.com.

About Chevrolet/Buick/GMC Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles

Chevrolet/Buick/GMC Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles are high-quality, reconditioned vehicles, available at participating Buick, Chevrolet and GMC dealers. Each Certified pre-owned vehicle features Owner Care, a two-year/30,000-mile standard vehicle maintenance program, and the first offering of its kind from any automotive manufacturer’s certified pre-owned program. For more information about Chevrolet/Buick/GMC Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles, please visit www.gmcertified.com.

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DETROIT – Cadillac is relaunching its certified pre-owned program to provide added confidence to customers seeking a used luxury automobile and help boost the resale value of Cadillacs.

In its most recent rankings, IntelliChoice ranked Cadillac’s certified pre-owned program higher than programs from Mercedes, Lexus, Audi and BMW. Cadillac’s enhanced certified pre-owned program, being rolled out this spring, includes a more robust vehicle inspection system, a six-year, 100,000-mile limited warranty, 24-hour roadside assistance during the warranty period and courtesy transportation for warranty services.

“In the luxury market, pre-owned automobiles are often an entry point for new customers to the brand,” said Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac Sales and Service. “We want these customers to know that we stand behind the quality of our pre-owned Cadillacs.”

Cadillac is bolstering the program with competitive financing options. For May and June, Cadillac will cover the first three monthly payments on interest rates as low as 1.9 percent for qualified buyers.

As part of the enhanced program, Cadillac and its dealers will provide every buyer of a Cadillac certified pre-owned vehicle with a 172-point vehicle inspection and reconditioning certificate that includes a road-test, validation of key mechanical components, up-to-date maintenance services and interior and exterior detailing. Customers also will receive a vehicle history report.

The limited warranty on Cadillac’s certified pre-owned vehicles covers most of the vehicle’s major mechanical components, including the engine, transmission, axles, struts, heating and air conditioning system and door and sunroof assemblies. Cadillac is promoting the program through TV, radio, print and on-line advertisements.

“The enhanced certified pre-owned program is another building block to establish Cadillac as the new standard of the luxury market,” McNeil said. “While the immediate benefit is provided to buyers of these pre-owned vehicles, it’s also a key component for assuring strong resale values for our new car customers. An expanded pool of pre-owned Cadillacs thoroughly inspected by trained professionals will raise the brand’s long-term reputation for quality.”

All 2006-2010 Mazda cars, SUVs and trucks with less than 60,000 miles are eligible for the program, as long as they meet the rigorous standards for quality.

“Mazda’s new Certified Pre-Owned program is designed expressly to make the process easy and affordable for customers shopping for a high-quality pre-owned vehicle,” said Ron Stettner, VP, Sales, for MNAO.  “As Mazda was recently recognized by ALG for holding one of the highest residual values in the industry, our new CPO program allows us to provide a never-before-offered level of warranty security that goes with the value for money already packaged into every new Mazda.”

CPO vehicles will be identified on dealers’ lots by point-of-sale materials which will outline the warranty details and program benefits.  Every Mazda CPO vehicle will offer either the remaining balance of the factory warranty or an additional 12-month/12,000-mile comprehensive warranty, as well as a seven-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.  As with all new-car Mazda warranties, there is no deductible or co-pay for warrantable repairs.

Additionally, all CPO vehicles receive roadside assistance at no extra cost, for the balance of the powertrain warranty period, which covers flat-tire changing, battery-jump, lock-out and fuel delivery.  The Mazda CPO program is offered at participating Mazda dealerships in the United States.

Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in North America in 2010, Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif. and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States, Canada and Mexico through nearly 900 dealers.  Operations in Canada are managed by Mazda Canada, Inc., located in Ontario; and in Mexico by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.

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• Certified Pre-owned Vehicle (CPOV) program re-launches with customer friendly attributes and ‘certified peace of mind’ for consumers
• Customers enjoy complimentary three months of SIRIUS Satellite Radio when purchasing a SIRIUS-equipped certified pre-owned vehicle
• New dedicated CPOV Web site and continued partnerships with Autotrader.com, Cars.com and Edmunds.com assist consumers in finding a certified pre-owned vehicle that fits their lifestyle and budget
• More Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck dealers now sell Certified Pre-owned Vehicles
• Increased inventory of vehicles offers better selection for consumers

March 15, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich.

As clocks move forward, Chrysler Group LLC’s Certified Pre-owned Vehicle (CPOV) program springs ahead with improvements that bring customers “certified” peace of mind. The program helps customers enjoy more of their daylight hours with a new Web site, more features they want, more Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge and Ram Truck dealers selling certified pre-owned vehicles and more inventory from which to choose.

Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck certified pre-owned vehicles offer many benefits, including peace of mind to consumers in the market for a pre-owned vehicle. Chrysler Group CPOV program vehicles have less than 65,000 miles and are less than six model years old. Among the many benefits for consumers purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle are:

• A 125-point vehicle inspection with upgraded reconditioning using MOPAR® parts exclusively. MOPAR parts are engineered to the same standard as the original equipment part
• A Carfax vehicle history report
• A three-month/3,000 mile Maximum Care Warranty that covers virtually all operational components
• A six-year/80,000 mile transferable Powertrain Limited Warranty with 24-hour/365-day “sign and go” roadside assistance
• A three month complimentary SIRIUS satellite radio subscription on equipped vehicles
• A $35 rental vehicle allowance if the vehicle needs to be in for overnight service
• A full range of service contracts, including lifetime warranty upgrades (Chrysler Group LLC is the only manufacturer to offer this option)

“Now is the perfect time to benefit from a certified pre-owned vehicle purchase,” said Fred Diaz, President and Chief Executive Officer – Ram Truck Brand and Lead Executive for the Sales Organization, Chrysler Group LLC. “Chrysler Group LLC’s Certified Pre-owned Vehicles take the uncertainty out of purchasing a pre-owned vehicle,” added Diaz. “Our program offers consumers ‘certified’ peace of mind with benefits like a Carfax vehicle history report, 125-point inspection, and some of the best warranty options in the business.”

Certified Pre-owned vehicle sales are growing, and participating Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram Truck dealers have increased their inventories, resulting in customers having a better selection of vehicles for customers. Customers purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle reap many of the benefits that new vehicle purchasers receive, such as the ability to service and maintain vehicles at the same point of purchase and the peace of mind that comes with a 125-point inspection and some of the best warranty options in the industry.

“We are excited about, and believe customers will appreciate, the improvements to the program,” said Diaz. “The new Web site, www.certifiedpreowned.chrysler.com, offers a number of features that help customers easily find a vehicle that fits their lifestyle.”

About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, Mopar® and Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world’s most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Truck. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

Facing tough times, GM is looking to increase the sales of certified pre-owned vehicles with changes to the program.

Warranty coverage will go up to 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first from the current 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Warranty coverage will be bumper to bumper including roadside assistance and courtesy transportation minus coverage for wear items. The warranty has no deductible and is transferable.

This only applies to Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Pontiac and Saturn vehicles. Cadillac, Saab and HUMMER have their own certified pre-owned programs that already offer additional warranty coverage.

The new warranty coverage and other changes will become effective on September 13, 2008.

Currently vehicles that are either current model year or from the past 5 model years and less than 60,000 miles are eligible to be certified. Once the enhancements to the program kick in, vehicles that are either a current model year vehicle or from the past 5 model years and less than 75,000 miles are eligible for certification.

For vehicles that are certified but still within the new vehicle warranty period, the warranty coverage will be extended 12 months or 12,000 miles beyond the new vehicle warranty period. For Chevrolet, GMC, Pontiac, Saturn, and Buick (up to 2005 model year), coverage would go from 3 years or 36,000 to 4 years or 48,000 miles from the original in-service date. For 2006 to current Buicks, the coverage would go from 4 years or 50,000 miles to 5 years or 62,000 miles.

Vehicles that are certified outside of the new vehicle warranty period, the coverage will receive a flat 12 months or 12,000 miles from the date the vehicle was sold as certified pre-owned.

GM vehicles certified and sold on or after March 5, 2007 also receive a 5 year/100,000 mile, whichever occurs first, powertrain warranty along with roadside assistance and courtesy transportation.

There is one hitch to the program. In some cases, a vehicle that is sold as certified between 4 and 5 years since the original in service date will go through a wild ride in coverage.

Up to that five year point, you will get the 12 month/12,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage along with the 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain coverage, roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. But somewhere along the line, during that 12 month coverage, the 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain coverage will come to an end. It could happen two months into your ownership of the vehicle or eight months or any other point in time during the 12 months depending on when the vehicle was sold to the original owner.

For most of the GM Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, they will receive roadside assistance and courtesy transportation for the initial 12 months/12,000 miles and will also receive it as long as they’re within the 5 year/100,000 mileage coverage period. The only difference is, courtesy transportation will be available for bumper to bumper repairs during the 12/12 but only for powertrain warranty repairs after the expiration of the 12/12 coverage but within the 5/100 time period.

You will have to ask your dealership what the original in-service date is when you purchase the vehicle to really know what coverage you will receive and how long it will last.

This isn’t a new hitch. It’s been one that has been part of GM’s Certified Pre-Owned program since the 5 year/100,000 mile coverage was introduced in March 2007.

It’s expected this enhancement to the Certified Pre-Owned program will help with the residual values of vehicles as they come off lease so GM will see an additional benefit and lessen their losses on those vehicles turned in after the lease expires.

Don’t get me wrong. The GM Certified Pre-Owned program is a great program and one that will give you peace of mind when buying a vehicle. The increase in warranty coverage is a big boost but you do need to understand the ins and outs of the program to get the greatest benefits from it.

Most information out there touts the extended warranty coverage that Porsche is offering. Actually, the time and mileage coverage is the same as it has been since the program started in June 2003.

The change comes in the parts covered by the new, improved warranty.

The prior parts coverage was structured more like you would see from a service contract.

The new parts coverage mirrors the coverage you would get with the new-vehicle warranty.

Although this is the same as it was prior, here is a rundown on the time and mileage coverage offered with the Porsche Pre-Owned program.

For vehicles certified outside of the new-vehicle warranty, the coverage will be for 2 years or 50,000 miles (80,000 kilometers), whichever comes first, from the time the vehicle was sold as pre-owned.

For vehicles certified during the new vehicle warranty period, the coverage will be for 6 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 kilometers), whichver comes first, from the the original sale of the vehicle.

It’s a nice upgrade and one that will help eliminate any confusion in coverage.

Dealers will be able to certify Murciélago and Gallardo sports cars that meet certain criteria.

The vehicles will have less than 22,000 miles, include full documentation of all maintenance performed and pass a 150-point inspection.

Details on the warranty coverage don’t seem clear yet but it’s expected a comprehensive warranty and roadside assistance will be part of the deal.