– Chrysler Group is offering, at no charge, a seven-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty on any vehicle purchased by Dec. 31. Owners would have to pay a $100 deductible. Chrysler’s standard warranty provides coverage through three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
– Chrysler Group also has extended its zero-percent financing program until Nov. 19, one day longer than General Motors. The zero-interest offer is for 36-month loans on most 2002 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models. For 48- and 60-month loans, the interest rate is 2.9 percent on cars and 4.9 percent on trucks. The Chrysler PT Cruiser and Prowler, Dodge Viper and Jeep Liberty are excluded. Chrysler’s program was scheduled to end Oct. 31.
– Ford has extended its zero-interest program, with similar restrictions, until Nov. 20. Ford is offering zero-percent financing for 36-month loans on all 2001 and 2002 cars and trucks except the Escape and Thunderbird. For 48-month loans, rates are 0.9 percent on ’01 cars and trucks and most ’02 cars; rates rise to 2.9 percent for ’02 trucks. For 60-month loans, rates are 2.9 percent on most ’01 and ’02 vehicles, rising to 4.9 percent on 2002 trucks. The 2002 Focus, ZX2 and Mustang are offered at the same rate as 2002 trucks. Ford’s program was set to expire Oct. 31.
– A group of workers who successfully opposed a Teamsters organizing drive two years ago is trying to keep the United Auto Workers out of Honda plants in Ohio. The UAW recently began an organizing campaign at Honda. UAW attempts to unionize Honda workers failed in the 1980s, as did the Teamsters’ push in 1999. Honda employs about 13,000 in a Marysville motorcycle plant, Anna engine plant and Marysville and East Liberty auto plants where the Accord, Civic and Acura are built.
