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Warranty Headlines Archive
Jan. 2003 - June 2003
June 2003
Environmental Protection Agency settles lawsuit with Engine Manufacturers Association, Cummins Inc., International Truck and Engine Corp.; parties will create a manufacturer-run, in-use emissions testing program for heavy-duty diesel engines using portable equipment. EPA says detailed regulations expected by June 2004.
Notice of Settlement, June 2003
Entigo Corp. appoints David Pelton as vice president of product management and marketing.
Press Release, June 30, 2003
UK's Office of Fair Trading opens inquiry into car manufacturers' product warranties and extended warranties, seeking information on whether restrictions on where vehicles can be serviced is limiting competition.
BBC News, 30 June, 2003
Dealers of DeltaGroup's Smart Choice service plans caught in warranty war. Insurer National Warranty Insurance Company's problems force tough choices.
Automotive News, June 30, 2003
Warrantech Corp. reports fiscal 2003 revenue up 24% to $150.3 million -- 72% U.S. automotive extended warranties, 25% U.S. consumer products, and 3% international. Net income was $2.86 million or 19 cents per share.
Press Release, June 25, 2003
IBM launches ThinkCentre A30 desktops; low-priced units aimed at small businesses carry one-year warranty and include floppy drives and modems excluded from low-end Dell and HP units.
CNET News.com, June 24, 2003
NHTSA issues new performance standards for passenger car and light truck tires, but they're not effective until June 2007.
Press Release, June 23, 2003
Circuit City Stores Inc. reports quarterly loss for period ending May 31, says extended warranty sales dropped to 3.7% of total sales from 4.2% the year before.
This Week in Consumer Electronics, June 23, 2003
Used auto extended service plan issuer Warranty Administration Services alters contract terms in response to complaints lodged by UK's Office of Fair Trading.
BBC News, 23 June, 2003
NHTSA postpones TREAD Act early warning report deadlines, also plans to revise reporting templates.
NHTSA Online Notice, June 18, 2003
Oracle raises PeopleSoft hostile takeover bid to $19.50 cash per share; State of Connecticut files suit to block the deal.
MSNBC, June 18, 2003
Happy Birthday! Ford Motor Company turned 100 years old June 16, 2003; parade of Model T cars arrived in a soggy Detroit; shareholder meeting held at Ford Conference and Event Center in Dearborn.
Ford Motor Co. 100th Anniversary Web site home page
Detroit Free Press provides local coverage of Ford's five-day 100th anniversary party; company tells shareholders warranty costs dropped 10% in past year.
Detroit Free Press, Special Section
Gloves off in PeopleSoft fight: J.D. Edwards sues Oracle for interfering with its merger and PeopleSoft rejects Oracle's hostile takeover bid.
CNET News.com, June 13, 2003
Caterpillar's C15 heavy duty diesel engine certified by EPA; production to begin in third quarter for inclusion in on-highway trucks, fire engines and other emergency vehicles.
Press Release, June 12, 2003
Consumer Centre's Network finds Euro-zone cross-border online shopping plagued with problems: fast credit card charging, slow deliveries, poor warranty disclosures and refused returns top the list.
The Guardian, June 12, 2003
Hip-hop music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs launches custom line of Lincoln Navigator SUVs, but Ford's product warranty won't cover modifications.
USA Today, June 12, 2003
Ford begins building 2004 F-Series pickup trucks; cost-cutting ruled out after 12 recalls drove up Ford Focus warranty costs.
USA Today, June 11, 2003
Financial Accounting Standards Board finds software license indemnification clauses to be forms of warranties subject to FIN 45 disclosure requirements.
FASB Staff Position FIN 45-1, June 11, 2003 (PDF file)
Voice Access Technologies Inc. launches Precision Phone Data Capture Service, a telephone-based automated warranty registration system. Consumers call toll-free number and speech recognition system fills out the form with caller's name, address, phone, email, product model and other data.
Press Release, June 10, 2003
Metamail Corp. claims its XML-based product registration system achieves 48.2% consumer response rate, much higher than online or postcard methods.
Press Release, June 10, 2003
National Warranty Insurance Company RRG (NWIC) files for bankruptcy protection in a Cayman Islands court; dispute with Pacific Fiduciary Investment Corp. over claims on high-mileage "Smart Choice" auto policies sold by the Delta Group's SC&E Administrative Services (owned by Yamagata Warranty) is what pushed them into insolvency.
Lincoln Journal Star, June 7, 2003
Oracle makes an offer to acquire PeopleSoft for $16 per share in cash.
Press Release, June 6, 2003
PeopleSoft announces plan to acquire J.D. Edwards in $1.7B stock swap.
Press Release, June 3, 2003
Adobe Systems expands help line; Expert Support now covers "how to" questions not covered by basic warranty support.
CNET News.com, June 2, 2003
Attorney Glen Darbyshire, of Inglesby, Falligant, Horne, Courington & Chisholm, presents an overview of the TREAD Act from the perspective of trailer manufacturers and their suppliers.
Trailer/Body Builders, June 1, 2003
May 2003
Apple computers cost more than eMachines, but the extra features are worth the price.
USA Today, May 31, 2003
UK branch of Warranty Direct finds labour rates soaring in British auto dealerships.
The Guardian, May 31, 2003
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company selects SatisFusion Inc. for warranty claims processing services.
Press Release, May 30, 2003
Michigan GM dealer uses airline miles to draw service business because improved vehicle quality has reduced warranty repairs.
The Detroit News, May 27, 2003
A.M. Best downgrades National Warranty Insurance Risk Retention Group (NWIC) from B++ to B, says unpaid claims dispute could "significantly impair the organization's ability to satisfy its policyholders' obligations."
Press Release, May 23, 2003
UK Competition Commission releases 26-page "Statement of Hypothetical Remedies" in its inquiry of extended warranty practices at Dixons Group and other British retailers; investigation now moves into final phase.
Press Release, May 20, 2003
Active Web Services signs Thor Industries subsidiaries Airstream and Dutchmen for TREAD Act reporting.
Press Release, May 20, 2003
Hackers turn Xbox into low-end PCs, despite Microsoft rule that opening the unit voids its warranty.
USA Today, May 15, 2003
Western Digital begins selling new Raptor hard drive in retail; 36 GB unit has five-year warranty and 160 GB kit has three-year warranty.
CNET News.com, May 13, 2003
Auto consortium Covisint LLC is developing an XML-based messaging system to replace aging EDI networks, allowing manufacturers and suppliers to better communicate about production data, including warranty claims.
InformationWeek, May 12, 2003
Hyundai Motor Co. expected to post declining profits, "ballooning costs of its warranty program " cited as major reason.
Automotive News, May 9, 2003
Siebel Systems investigated by SEC over allegations of selective financial disclosures to analysts at April 30 dinner.
CBS MarketWatch, May 9, 2003
NASDAQ de-lists shares of i2 Technologies Inc.; manufacturing software company is more than a month late with its 2002 annual report; SEC investigation continues into allegedly fraudulent accounting practices.
CNET News.com, May 9, 2003
Warrantech Corp. and ACE Property and Casualty (formerly CIGNA) settle all outstanding lawsuits.
Press Release, May 7, 2003
J.D. Power releases 2003 Initial Quality Study for autos sold in U.S.; Toyota, Porsche, BMW and Honda rank highest, while Suzuki, Mercury, Kia and Jaguar are most improved.
Press Release, May 6, 2003
Team of attorneys representing California resident Henry La files class-action lawsuit against Nokia for violations of Song-Beverley Consumer Warranty Act, alleges company knew of faulty displays since 1998 and even conducted focus group research on the problem.
Silicon.com, May 6, 2003
Fujitsu Siemens Computers UK increases warranty coverage on select Scenic desktop models from three years to four years.
The Register, 6 May 2003
Same cars can cost thousands less in Canada, but the cross-border warranty issue is a huge problem for buyers.
USA Today, May 6, 2003
Weak Korean currency pays for Hyundai's and Kia's warranty costs.
Forbes, May 6, 2003
April 2003
Dixons attacks warranties row as simplistic.
Electronic Telegraph, April 26, 2003
Dixons chief extols new era of customer support.
Times of London, April 26, 2003
Dixons CEO refutes profiteering from warranties.
Reuters, April 25, 2003
NEW Customer Service Companies, citing "explosive growth," expands Florida contact center, boost employment.
Press Release, April 21, 2003
CRM dissatisfaction greatly exaggerated, Aberdeen Group white paper claims.
CRMDaily.com, April 21, 2003
Sony extends digital camera support; battery pack on Cyber-shot DSC-P1 has shorter life than expected.
CNET News.com, April 16, 2003
Whirlpool Canada signs ServiceBench Inc. to process online warranty claims.
Press Release, April 10, 2003
XL Specialized Inc. deploys Active Web Service's ActiveWeb Warranty to satisfy NHTSA TREAD Act Early Warning Reporting compliance.
Press Release, April 7, 2003
IBM, SAS join to help automakers comply with TREAD Act regulations.
Computerworld, April 3, 2003
PJ Trailers deploys Active Web Service's ActiveWeb Warranty to satisfy NHTSA TREAD Act Early Warning Reporting compliance.
Press Release, April 1, 2003
Interstate Manufacturing deploys Active Web Service's ActiveWeb Warranty to satisfy NHTSA TREAD Act Early Warning Reporting compliance.
Press Release, April 1, 2003
Q&A with TREAD Act expert Erika Jones, a partner in Mayer, Brown, Rowe and Maw in Washington, DC
Trailer/Body Builders, April 1, 2003
Insider secrets for PC buyers, Part 10: Warranties and Returns
PC World, April 2003
March 2003
Capital Consulting & Management Inc. survey finds under 20 percent of companies with supply chain technology believe their investments have definitely shown a favorable return on investment; of those, most were disappointed in the rate of return.
Press Release, March 31, 2003
Speed Kills: With rapidly-increasing U.S. sales, low prices, and long warranties, Hyundai can't afford to make a mistake.
Forbes, March 31, 2003
Automakers rev up data mining efforts. Ford and others leverage data to comply with TREAD Act and improve warranty programs.
InformationWeek, March 31, 2003
Carmakers fear TREAD Act Early Warning Report file could assist rivals.
Detroit Free Press, March 28, 2003
IBM-SAS Institute package helps automakers mine warranty data.
InformationWeek, March 27, 2003
Warrantech Corp. appoints Burt Shaw president of Consumer Products Division.
Press Release, March 26, 2003
IBM and SAS Institute offer manufacturers a warranty analysis and Early Warning Reporting solution for TREAD Act compliance.
Press release, March 24, 2003
Boeing's JDAM smart bombs prove to be accurate, kit carries 20-year warranty.
USA Today, March 23, 2003
Hewlett-Packard sues Virginia dealer, alleges company faked federal contracts to get bigger discounts for $22m in goods, which it allegedly resold on the gray market; Compaq previously filed suit in 2001 for similar reasons.
News Release, March 14, 2003
Tire cases haunt Ford, Bridgestone/Firestone. U.S. attorney begins probe by grand jury.
Detroit Free Press, March 13, 2003
Hyundai's reliability rankings in Consumer Reports now tie Honda's
USA Today, March 11, 2003
Gillig taps Syncata Reporting Engine to satisfy TREAD Act compliance rules & regulations.
Press Release, March 11, 2003
Entigo Corp. appoints Ron Raab as Vice President of Business Development.
Press Release, March 11, 2003
A.M. Best downgrades Nebraska-based auto warranty and service contract insurer National Warranty Insurance Co. to B++ (Very Good) from A- (Excellent), cites deteriorating operating results, rising losses from policies written for high-mileage vehicles.
Insurance Journal, March 11, 2003
Is your car as good as you think? The sleek $50k BMW X5 and the nimble $15k Ford Focus are two of the most-recalled models in automotive history.
Forbes, March 10, 2003
Consumer Product Safety Commission rejects registration cards for children's products.
Associated Press, March 7, 2003
Raytheon increases reserve for two power plants it guaranteed to finish before selling off E&C division, schedule slips 3-4 more weeks, fourth quarter charges boosted from already announced $197 million to expected $262-$272 million range.
Press Release, March 5, 2003
Gartner survey finds 42 percent of CRM licenses sit on shelves uninstalled, declining budgets for associated CRM consulting costs cited as one reason for the waste.
CNET News.com, March 3, 2003
Warranty and service plan administrator VAC Service Corp. promotes Buzz Nachlas to senior vice president of sales, and puts Vince Romano in charge of OEM sales.
Press Release, March 3, 2003
TREAD Act compliance a major issue at the annual National Association of Trailer Manufacturers Convention in Orlando.
Trailer/Body Builders, March 1, 2003
Consumers Union examines terms and conditions of automobile service contracts in Texas, finds they're too expensive and don't cover many repairs.
Consumers Union, March 2003
Feb. 2003
UK Competition Commission releases letter describing the issues in its extended warranty investigation. Preliminary findings suggest Dixons Group may have more than 25% share of UK£800m extended warranty market, meaning "a scale monopoly may exist." Ruling expected this summer, could affect point of sale practices & insurance requirements among major UK retailers.
Press Release & Issues Statement (89-page PDF file), 27 Feb. 2003
Dixons Group plc in spotlight as UK Competition Commission details extended warranty issues, says there is evidence Dixons, the UK's largest electrical retailer, has a monopoly in the market for extended warranties on domestic electrical goods.
AFX News, Feb. 28, 2003
UK Consumers' Association launches counterattack on Dixons chief executive John Clare, who blasted CA in 14 Feb. interview. CA chief says extended warranties "in most cases they are unnecessary and don't offer good value for money," because products are more reliable than was thought.
Daily Telegraph, Feb. 27, 2003
ServiceBench Inc. names Michael Dering Chief Executive Officer; founder John Estrada stays on as chairman.
Press Release, Feb. 24, 2003
NY State Dept. of Motor Vehicles includes print ads for Viking Warranty, insurance, and credit cards with renewal mailings in test program with Imagitas Inc.
USA Today, Feb. 21, 2003
KeyPrestige Inc. takes over warranty claims processing for Denon Electronics
Announcement Letter, Feb. 21, 2003
Boston law firm files class action lawsuit, charges U.S. automakers block imports from Canada & refuse to honor warranties on those imports.
ConsumerAffairs.com, Feb. 20, 2003
KPMG study sizes global IT grey market at US$40 billion a year, finds many purchasers pay same price as authorized channels despite lack of warranty.
The Register, 20 Feb. 2003
Work declines at auto repair shops. Quality is a mixed blessing. Tough cars mean dealers earn less warranty money.
Detroit Free Press, Feb. 14, 2003
More users report problems with Sony PlayStation 2, complain that 90-day warranty is insufficient.
News Channel 10, Providence RI, Feb. 14, 2003
Dell's profits soar, company cuts costs by more than expected, reduced warranty expenses cited.
Austin American-Statesman, Feb. 14, 2003
Dixons Group plc chief executive launches public attack on UK Consumers' Association after the group claims that extended warranties sold by electrical retailers are a "rip-off."
Daily Telegraph, Feb. 14, 2003
KeyPrestige Inc. takes over warranty claims processing for Emerson Radio Corp.
Announcement Letter, Feb. 14, 2003
Dell Computer to lower fiscal 2004 expenses by trimming warranty claims, company says during earnings conference call.
CNET News.com, Feb. 13, 2003
California Air Resources Board tells General Motors to extend warranty on 1996-2001 truck/SUV fuel injection systems from 3 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/200,000 miles. GM to absorb $115-per-vehicle fuel injector cleaning cost.
Reuters, Feb. 12, 2003
General Motors gives complete interior contract for 2006 Cadillac DeVille and Buick LeSabre to Lear Corp.; hopes that having single supplier saves on warranty cost.
Forbes, Feb. 11, 2003
R. L. Polk & Co. says 2002 median car age hits record 8.4 years, advances in vehicle quality and engine technology help produce second-lowest scrappage rate among passenger cars.
News Release, Feb. 11, 2003
Investment firm Saratoga Partners acquires "substantial interest" in NAT Inc. Peter Leger to become new CEO, while founder Mark Nagelvoort will continue to serve as president and chief technology officer.
Press Release, Feb. 11, 2003
Extended warranty providers weather the holiday sales doldrums, most made it through the fourth quarter of 2002 largely unscathed.
This Week in Consumer Electronics, Feb. 10, 2003
Why's my cell phone melting? Nokia warns customers that unauthorized third party batteries can overheat, voiding warranty
CNET News.com, Feb. 7, 2003
Callaway Golf Co. reports 2002 financial results; earnings increase 26% after one-time gain from $17 million warranty reserve reduction.
Press Release, Feb. 6, 2003
Macintosh dealer Macadam Computer sues Apple Computer for charging for returned parts and denying warranty claims.
CNET News.com, Feb. 5, 2003
Datamonitor report calls CRM in 2002 "a shrinking market," revenue recovers to US$3 billion in 2005 but by then the damage is done to current vendors.
Press Release, Feb. 4, 2003
California Department of Consumer Affairs finds auto repair problems are top consumer complaint in 2002.
News Release, Feb. 3, 2003
National Association of Trailer Manufacturers urges members to contact US Congress and ask for TREAD Act exemption for trailers with GVW ratings of 26,000 pounds or less.
Trailer/Body Builders, Feb. 3, 2003
Chrysler announces sales decline in January, launches "The Best Values in America" ad campaign emphasizing 7/70 warranty.
USA Today, Feb. 3, 2003
TREAD Act early warning deadline looms
Industry Week, Feb. 1, 2003
Keep your enemies closer: why looking the other way when hackers open the box was good for TiVo, and why Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are making a mistake threatening to sue makers of unauthorized modifications.
Wired Magazine, issue 11.02, Feb. 2003
Jan. 2003
Hyundai pumps up loan deals & rebates to counter Detroit's incentives
USA Today, Jan. 30, 2003
Zenith recalls 80K large-screen analog projection TVs made in 1995-98 due to possible coolant leakage
Consumer Product Safety Commission, Jan. 30, 2003
Former U.S. Senator Frank Moss of Utah, co-author of Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, died Jan. 29 at age 91.
Fox News, Jan. 29, 2003
Siebel Systems to make software for IBM's WebSphere application server
CNET News.com, Jan. 28, 2003
Battery maker Exide Technologies joins Ford's warranty reduction program.
Press Release, Jan. 21, 2003
Microsoft Business Solutions to resell customer relationship management package by Crystal Decisions
News Release, Jan. 21, 2003
Microsoft Business Solutions CRM home
AutoNation executives endorse the National Automobile Dealers Association's new code of ethics at Florida conference.
News Release, Jan. 20, 2003
Feds warn on high-tech devices in autos
Associated Press, Jan. 15, 2003
Six dirty secrets of car sales. Getting overcharged on the car lot? You may not even know it.
CNN/Money, Jan. 10, 2003
Tire blow-out case settled. Ford, Bridgestone reach deal in death of NAACP official.
The Detroit News, Jan. 9, 2003
Shareholders of Interstate National Dealer Services Inc. approve merger with COO Cindy H. Luby's CHL Holdings Corp.
News Release, Jan. 8, 2003
Simmons Company Selects Mobius ViewDirect TCM, uses a Web browser for access to warranty claims data.
Press Release, Jan. 7, 2003
Chrysler is trying to boost resale values by offering transferable warranties, quality initiatives, $5M TV campaign. Warranty offer likely to have delayed effect - Takes 5-years for high resale value message to permeate market.
Brand Week, Dec. 16, 2002, via Automotive Digest, Jan. 7, 2003
Finbarr O’Neill: Kicking Hyundai into high gear. How he transformed the Korean carmaker into a player.
Newsweek, Jan. 6, 2003
Active Web Services announces TREAD Act reporting capabilities.
Press Release, Jan. 2, 2003
Extended warranties to help Hyundai boost sales by 10 pct in 2003
Reuters, Jan. 2, 2003
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