General Motors Corporation has extended its standard three-year warranty on Oldsmobile cars to five years in an effort to bolster consumer confidence in the line, which it is phasing out over the next few years. GM's plan to drop Oldsmobile, America's oldest automotive brand, came after years of lackluster sales. Intense competition has squeezed automakers, especially GM, Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler unit, forcing production cuts at North American plants to make up for slowing sales and bloated inventories. In its latest effort to unload the doomed Oldsmobile line, GM said it will increase its three-year/36,000 mile warranty to five years or 60,000 miles for all 2000 and 2001 Oldsmobile models, including the Alero, Intrigue, Aurora cars, Bravada SUVs and Silhouette minivans. The enhanced warranty will also cover the 2002 Bravada. On Dec. 12, the day GM announced plans to kill off Oldsmobile, it said it will send Oldsmobile owners coupons for $1,500 off the purchase or lease of a new Oldsmobile or $1,000 off any other GM vehicle. GM's standard warranty provides provide bumper-to-bumper coverage for the first three years. The extended plan covers for two additional years parts including the engine; transmission; front-and rear-wheel-drive assembly; brakes; and suspension; fuel, cooling, electrical, computer and steering systems, according to GM officials. Under the plan, the customer pays no deductible costs. There are no plans to add to the incentive package, although Oldsmobile spokesman Vince Muniga wouldn't rule out the possibility.
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