This will be a huge advantage for Ford. I bet by year's end GM and DCX will follow suit.
Ford Motor Co. is trying to outflank some key competitors such as General Motors and DaimlerChrysler by announcing plans for what it described as the best warranty and roadside assistance packages now available from any full-line manufacturer. The no-deductible, fully transferable powertrain limited warranty on 2007 Ford and Mercury vehicles is now five years or 60,000 miles - better than all Chrysler Group and most GM nameplates, Ford officials said. Lincoln's 2007 powertrain limited warranty is now six years or 70,000
miles - up to 20,000 miles and two years longer than the warranty offered by Cadillac. Ford also plans to offer complimentary roadside assistance, including towing, fuel, and lock-out service for the entire warranty period - services not offered by Toyota and Honda, said Cisco Codina, Ford group vice president, North America Marketing, Sales and Service. Ford also is making side air curtains or its advanced Safety Canopy system with rollover sensor standard equipment on 13 vehicles for 2007. "Ford's goal is to be America's car company - the one that customers expect to set the standard for design, engineering, and the ownership experience," he said.
"When we said Ford was going to look at the world through customers' eyes, we meant every word," he added. "That means bold design, more standard safety features, higher quality and, starting today, the best warranty and roadside assistance packages of any full-line manufacturer - American, European, or Asian." "It's a very consumer oriented strategy," added Codina, who added Ford plans to use the new warranty as a marketing tool. "It certainly has value to the consumers. It offers some real convenience. We think this program is very manageable," for the company, added Codina. Ford's internal quality measurements are improving, which will help minimize the cost, he said.
Hattip: The Car Connection
Another article with more details.
I hope GM does it soon.
They need to regain market share!!