May 7, 2009
sponsored by PCMI
ISSN 1550-9214         

Annual Warranty Totals & Averages:

While claims were up slightly in 2008, both warranty reserves and accruals actually plunged last year. And as sales fall, the percentage of product revenue spent on claims has risen. With no less than 21 charts, we detail the industry totals and averages for the past six years.

In the past seven newsletters, we've toured the warranty world from one end to another, looking at the biggest players and the most warranty-intensive industries. This week, we're going to wrap it up with a look at the overall totals and averages.

What we intend to do this week is provide readers with six charts in the regular newsletter and links to at least 15 additional related charts on a separate Web page. That way, we won't test readers' tolerance for graphics but we will still make the entire story available to those who are interested.

Declining Rate of Increase

Notice in Figure 1 below that the rate of increase from one year to the next is declining. While in every year since 2004 U.S.-based manufacturers have spent more on claims than they did the year before, the total was up less than one percent from 2007 to 2008.


Figure 1
Worldwide Warranty Claims of U.S.-based Companies
(claims paid in US$ millions, 2003-2008)

Figure 1


Legend


The equivalent charts tallying up the equivalent totals for warranty accruals and warranty reserves are included below. Figure 1b, for instance, details how American manufacturers actually accrued 9% less in 2008 than they did in 2007. That's a much more immediate reaction to the downturn in sales.


Figure 1b
Worldwide Warranty Accruals of U.S.-based Companies
(accruals made in US$ millions, 2003-2008)

Figure 1b


Legend


The dollar figures for accruals were $29.9 billion in 2007 and $27.2 billion for accruals in 2008. So the decline amounted to an astonishing $2.77 billion from one year to the next. In comparison, the only other annual decline that we have on record for accruals was the $271 million reduction tabulated from 2005 to 2006.

The biggest declines in accruals were turned in by makers of consumer electronics, new homes, telecom equipment, and automotive OEMs. These were also the industries most impacted by downturns in sales, so perhaps it's not such a surprise. There were, however, several industries that actually increased accruals, including the makers of power generation equipment, data storage systems, medical equipment, and computers. So while accruals were down overall, they weren't down for every industry or every company.

Massive Decline in Reserves

In Figure 1c, we've charted the year-ending warranty reserve balances reported by all the companies in each industry. As is obvious, there was also a massive decline in reserves in 2008, with the overall year-ending balance of $37.9 billion falling below the totals seen at the ends of 2007, 2006 or even 2005. And that, as far as we can tell, is the first annual decline in warranty reserves ever reported and recorded (however, there was of course no warranty expense reporting during the last recession).


Figure 1c
Worldwide Warranty Reserves of U.S.-based Companies
(year-end reserve balances in US$ millions, 2003-2008)

Figure 1c


Legend


The same four industries -- consumer electronics, new homes, telecom equipment, and automotive OEMs -- showed the biggest annual declines in reserves. And the makers of power generation equipment, data storage systems, computer OEMs, and semiconductor/printed circuit companies were the only industries to register any increase at all in warranty reserve balances from the end of 2007 to the end of 2008.

Warranty "Market" Share

In the April 10, 2008 and May 8, 2008 newsletters, we published a series of pie charts for claims, accruals, and reserves during the five years between 2003 and 2007. Figures 3a, 3b and 3c should be considered to be the latest members of those collections. Figure 3a below was also part of the May 7, 2009 newsletter, while Figures 3b and 3c are exclusive to this 2008 Special Report.


Figure 3a
All U.S. Manufacturers
Claims Paid per Industry, 2008
(as a % of $28.7 billion total)

Figure 3a


Legend


The share of all warranty claims paid by companies in just the reddish "high tech" sector rose slightly in 2008 from years past. Since 2004 these sectors have always paid 35.2% to 35.6% of all warranty claims paid by all industries. But in 2008 that share rose to 35.7%, mostly because of the corresponding falloff seen in the "buildings" sector.

The "high tech" share of accruals rose by even more. This sector accounted for 38.5% of the accruals made by all manufacturers last year, up from 37.2% in 2007 and 35.8% in 2006. And their share of all industries' warranty reserves has also risen, from 23.5% in 2006 and 24.0% in 2007 to 24.8% in 2008.

Meanwhile, the share of claims paid for by companies in the bluish "vehicles" sector was relatively unchanged at 49.3% in 2008. Their collective share was 49.2% of $28.5 billion in 2007 and 49.4% of $28.0 billion in 2006. The "vehicle" share of accruals, however, fell radically in 2008, to only 46% from 48.5% in 2007.

The "buildings" sector shrank its share of claims, but grew its share of both accruals and warranty reserves. This sector saw its share of claims slip from 14.9% to 14.4%. Its share of accruals grew from 13.7% to 15%. And its share of reserves grew from 16% to 16.9%.


Figure 3b
All U.S. Manufacturers
Accruals Made per Industry, 2008
(as a % of $27.2 billion total)

Figure 3b


Legend


Neither the April 10, 2008 newsletter nor its supplemental report included any details on the "market share" of warranty reserves by industry. Instead, those pie charts were included in a separate report published on May 8, 2008, which is hereby updated by Figure 3c below.

Notice how in comparison, the automotive OEMs have more reserves and the computer OEMs have less reserves than their relative shares of claims and accruals portrayed in Figures 3 and 3b. While both product types generate relatively high warranty costs, automobiles generally do so for longer periods than computers, and manufacturers of cars generally maintain larger reserve funds than do the computer OEMs.


Figure 3c
All U.S. Manufacturers
Reserves Kept per Industry, 2008
(as a % of $37.9 billion total)

Figure 3c


Legend


It's no surprise to discover that some of the same industries that saw the biggest dollar declines in reserves (Figure 1c) also saw the biggest percentage declines (Figure 3c). Automotive OEMs saw their share of reserves fall from 45% to 42%, and that was by far the biggest change in absolute terms. But the makers of consumer electronics and new homes actually shrank their reserves by more in relative terms: consumer electronics from 2.5% to 1.9% and new homebuilders from 3.0% to 2.6%.

The biggest increases in reserves, meanwhile, were turned in by the computer OEMs (10.3% in 2007 to 11.9% in 2008) and the makers of power generating equipment (3.8% in 2007 to 4.6% in 2008). Overall, nine industries had higher reserve levels in 2008, while six had lower year-ending reserve balances.



Warranty in the Vehicle Sector

In Figure 4 below, the dollar amounts reported during the past six years for claims in the three "vehicle" industries are detailed. Notice the slight decline in claims paid by the automotive OEMs. That probably has much to do with the sale of the Land Rover and Jaguar divisions by Ford, as well as the general decline in sales volumes recently affecting all automakers.


Figure 4
Warranty Claims in Automotive & Aerospace
Worldwide Claims Paid by U.S.-based Companies
(claims paid in US$ millions, 2003-2008)

Figure 4


In Figure 4b below, the most curious development is the recently falling accrual rate and the recently rising claims rate. We think the causes are several. For falling accruals, we have 1) rising product quality and therefore 2) reduced future demands for warranty work, and also 3) the sale by Ford of the high-cost Land Rover and Jaguar units to a foreign buyer. For rising claims rates, we have 1) the severe downturn in sales combined with the 2) lag time between sales revenue and warranty expense, as well as 3) lengthening warranties used as marketing tools.

Diverging Averages in Late 2008

The most sobering thoughts of all is that industry average claims rates were never higher than they were in late 2008, and average accrual rates were never lower than they were in early 2008. Given the promises extended by the U.S. government to back warranties in the event of bankruptcies, we worry that some of the automakers may not be adequately financing their current guarantees.


Figure 4b
All Automotive OEMs
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 4b


In the March 19 newsletter, Figure 2, we expanded upon the gap in average claims rates between auto OEMs and their suppliers. Here in Figures 4b and 4c, that gap is apparent in both warranty claims rates and warranty accrual rates. Parts suppliers have seen their average claims rates rise to just under 0.7%, but the gap with OEMs has actually widened from 1.9% to just under 2.0%.


Figure 4c
All Automotive Parts Suppliers
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 4c


Aerospace warranty trends were covered in the April 9 newsletter. Notably, the gap between OEMs and suppliers that was found in automotive was not found in the aerospace industry, as was detailed in Figure 3 in that newsletter.

Below, the apparent trend in aerospace warranty costs as a percentage of revenue is clearly down. There was an upturn in claims rates in late 2008, but it was not confirmed by an upturn in accrual rates. That means it probably had more to do with a decline in sales than any change in costs or quality.


Figure 4d
All Aerospace Companies
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 4d


Also, please note how the claims record in aerospace seems to have taken on a seasonal pattern during the last three years. Claims peak in the fall and trough in the winter. While this pattern is also somewhat evident in the accrual rates, we believe it is more coincidental than deliberate.



Warranty in the High Tech Sector

In the high tech electronics industries listed in Figure 5, last year was relatively quiet. The computer OEMs have kept their claims cost relatively stable as sales rose (at least until late in the year). The telecom equipment vendors (primarily Motorola) are reducing their warranty costs. Disk drive, semiconductor and peripheral manufacturers saw little movement in either their totals or their averages. And in the consumer electronics segment, Microsoft has finally gotten over the worst of its Xbox 360 debacle. All of those trends are visible in the next six charts.


Figure 5
Warranty Claims in the High-Tech Industries
Worldwide Claims Paid by U.S.-based Companies
(claims paid in US$ millions, 2003-2008)

Figure 5


The warranty costs of the computer, data storage, and semiconductor/printed circuit board segments of the high-tech sector were covered in the March 26 newsletter. For computer makers, claims and accruals counted in dollars have been rising. But as Figure 5b shows, claims and accruals as a percentage of product revenue have been falling. In other words, sales have been rising faster than warranty costs.


Figure 5b
All Computer Manufacturers
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 5b


Much the same pattern can be seen in the data storage sector. Claims and accruals as measured in dollars rose, but fell as a percentage of revenue. The claims dollar total in 2007 was $560 million, and was $561 million in 2008. The accrual total was $548 million in 2007 and $622 million in 2008. However, as Figure 5c illustrates, both the claims and accrual rates were lower in 2007 than they were in either 2003-2006 or 2008. So while the multi-year trend is down, the single-year trend is up.


Figure 5c
All Data Storage Manufacturers
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 5c


For 17 consecutive quarters and counting, semiconductor equipment and printed circuit board manufacturers have paid out between $175 million and $200 million per quarter in warranty claims. This can be seen in Figure 7 in the March 26 newsletter. As Figure 5d details on this page, this amount has usually represented a little more or a little less than one percent of their total product revenue. But it's always a little more at the end of the year than it is in the other three quarters. This seasonal pattern has no ready explanation.


Figure 5d
All Semiconductor & Printed Circuit Manufacturers
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 5d


Telecom, medical, and scientific equipment warranties were covered in the April 2 newsletter. In that analysis, we found that the telecom numbers were heavily weighted by the warranty experience of Motorola Inc. Dollar costs peaked in 2006 and fell in the years since. That trend is more or less also evident in the data of Figure 5e, which calculates the dollars spent on warranty as a percentage of product revenue.


Figure 5e
All Telecom Equipment Manufacturers
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 5e


In the medical/scientific warranty sector, claims and accrual rates have been closely tracking each other up and down over the last six years, as can be seen in Figure 5F. For some reason, the rates always seem to be highest in the summer and lowest in the first half of each calendar year. In terms of dollars, the biggest spikes for claims paid came in the third quarters of 2005 and 2008, as can be seen in Figure 6 in the April 2 newsletter. There's no apparent reason for this apparent seasonality either, but its presence cannot be denied.


Figure 5f
All Scientific & Medical Equipment Manufacturers
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 5f


In the medical equipment industry and perhaps also in the semiconductor industry, there doesn't yet seem to be anything approaching a benchmark. Despite there being hundreds of companies counted in each industry, and no major players (like GE, Microsoft or Motorola) whose warranty costs skew the overall averages, there's not much tranquility in Figures 5e or 5f.

Warranty in the Building Sector

While the claims cost for both new home builders and the makers of building materials seems to have peaked in 2006, the claims cost of appliance makers didn't peak until 2007. And the claims cost for power generating equipment (primarily GE) didn't peak until 2008. In hindsight, how could anyone have missed all these clues that a recession was coming?

Figure 6
Warranty Claims in the Building Trades
Worldwide Claims Paid by U.S.-based Companies
(claims paid in US$ millions, 2003-2008)

Figure 6


Appliance and HVAC manufacturers not only paid out the most in 2007, they also paid out the highest percentage of their sales revenue that year. Their average accrual rate rose above 1.7% at the end of 2006, and their average claims rate remained above 1.5% throughout 2007. Figure 6b also shows how, while they haven't always moved together, the average claims and accrual rates have at least moved in the same direction from one quarter to the next.

Figure 6b
All Appliance & HVAC Manufacturers
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 6b


Homebuilders were examined in detail in the April 23 newsletter, including a computation of accruals per home sold that revealed how some companies seemed to be changing their accrual rates as sales slowed. Figure 6c shows how claims have risen while accruals have fallen, leading to a significant gap between the two in 2007 and 2008. At some point, either the claims rate will have to come down or the accrual rate will have to go up. Otherwise, the industry will run out of money to pay claims. Then again, some of these companies have seen sales fall so far and so fast that warranty is probably very far down their list as they battle to survive.

Figure 6c
All New Homebuilders
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 6c


The makers of fixtures, furniture and building materials have also seen their warranty claims rates rise in recent years. But notice in Figure 6d how their accrual rates have kept pace with that upward trend. In the fourth quarter of 2008, their average claims and accrual rates were within 0.004% of each other. And they've never been more than 0.11% apart.


Figure 6d
Fixture, Furniture &Building Materials
Average Warranty Claims & Accrual Rates
(as a percentage of product sales, 2003-2008)

Figure 6d


Had the vertical scale not been stretched so much in these charts, some of them would have looked more like straight lines. So perhaps this stretching of the axis makes them look more chaotic than they really are? For instance, as much as the appliance averages go up and down, they seem to always stay close to 1.5%. So perhaps what's needed to produce a useable benchmark is to take the average of an average?

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This is Part Nine

PCMI - Your technology partner

 

This Week’s Warranty Week Headlines

Manufacturers deploy new technologies and processes to help them reduce warranty claims.
Managing Automation, May 6, 2009
Chrysler went into bankruptcy last week with about $660 million of cash on hand.
Detroit Free Press, May 5, 2009
Indiana attorney general sues Fortress Secured, SVM and Mike Moneymaker for warranty robocalls.
Press Release, May 5, 2009
Bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez to rule on paying Chrysler dealers for warranty work.
Detroit Free Press, May 4, 2009
Stop the phone phonies: Feds must disconnect car-warranty scamsters.
New York Daily News, May 4, 2009
 

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Warranty Headlines (cont’d)

Former auto dealer Michael Holley jailed for allegedly stealing extended warranty premiums.
Lakeland (FL) Ledger, May 4, 2009
Cisco expands coverage for Catalyst 3000-E and 4500 switches from 90 days to lifetime warranty.
Channel Web, May 4, 2009
Sigma Corp. lengthens warranty on all non-EX lenses sold by U.S. dealers from one to three years.
Press Release, May 4, 2009
Gulf Warranties launches extended warranty program for electronics, appliances and telecom.
AME Info, May 2, 2009
Chrysler enters Chapter 11, but will it ever come out?
USA Today, May 1, 2009
 

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ServiceBench for Service Administrators

 

Warranty Headlines (cont’d)

Chrysler dealerships put hope in government backing of warranties.
Detroit News, May 1, 2009
Commentary: Not even Obama knows the way Chapter 11 wind blows.
Detroit News, May 1, 2009
What Chrysler's Chapter 11 filing means.
Associated Press, April 30, 2009
A primer on a Chrysler bankruptcy and a quick look at how it is likely to play out..
New York Times, April 30, 2009
Chrysler warranties should be OK, expert says.
WBNS-TV Columbus (OH), April 30, 2009
 

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Tavant

 

Warranty Headlines (cont’d)

Remarks by President Barack Obama on the Chrysler bankruptcy filing.
Press Release, April 30, 2009
Joint statement by US President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper on Chrysler.
Press Release, April 30, 2009
Chrysler factories in U.S. & Canada to shutter when parts run out.
Financial Post, April 30, 2009
Text of Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli's email message to employees.
Associated Press, April 30, 2009
SsangYong UK gives all models transferable five-year/250,000-mile powertrain warranties.
Web Page, April 30, 2009
 

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Warranty Headlines (cont’d)

GM dealers retain Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; Chrysler dealers retain Arnold & Porter LLP.
Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2009
Court rules drivers can sue shops for double the cost of unapproved repairs plus attorneys’ fees.
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, April 29, 2009
Shreveport’s Better Business Bureau cautions against buying service contracts from U.S. Fidelis.
Shreveport Times, April 29, 2009
Auto/Mate Dealership Systems gets GM Global Warranty Management certification.
Press Release, April 29, 2009
Better warranties for most effective medical treatments could solve health crisis.
Detroit News, April 29, 2009
 

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Warranty Headlines (cont’d)

End of Pontiac brand name doesn't affect warranties or dealer service.
U.S. News & World Report, April 28, 2009
Verizon Wireless sues Dealers Warranty (Federal Auto Protection) & National Dealers Warranty.
Press Release, April 28, 2009
Verizon Wireless donates $50,000 proceeds from National Auto Warranty Services/U.S. Fidelis lawsuit.
Computerworld, April 28, 2009
Okla. Insurance Comm. gets temporary restraining order against VSI Vehicle Services Inc.
Insurance Journal, April 28, 2009
New York attorney general files fraud lawsuit against National Home Protection Inc.
Press Release, April 27, 2009
 

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Entigo, Founding Sponsor

 

Warranty Headlines (cont’d)

Indiana attorney general to take action against auto warranty telemarketers soon.
Press Release, April 27, 2009
"Your car warranty is about to expire," the woman said. "This is your final warning."
Oregonian, April 27, 2009
Texas realtors say they have seen a slight uptick in home warranty sales.
Fort Worth Business Press, April 27, 2009
LG Electronics Direct Drive steam washing machines get 10-year warranties in Qatar.
Gulf Times, April 26, 2009
Ford says timing differences in warranty payments cause egative cash flow in first quarter.
Press Release, April 24, 2009
Contractors for Bandra Worli Sea Link bridge of Mumbai can't agree on warranty duration.
International Construction Review, April 24, 2009
Dell scraps return-to-base warranty services in favor of on-premises support for small business.
Computerworld Australia, April 23, 2009
Tavant Technologies introduces per-transaction pricing for Warranty and Repair Management system.
Press Release, April 23, 2009
Missouri state insurance department sues U.S. Fidelis, demands compliance with subpoena.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 23, 2009
Kleenmaid manager says the company "made all their money, through the warranties."
Current, April 23, 2009
Roadranger adds extended warranties on Spicer steer axles.
Fleet Owner, April 23, 2009
Crazy Eddie returns to electronics retail, with a new advertising campaign in the works.
Electronic House, April 22, 2009
NBC's Today Show investigates U.S. Fidelis extended warranty sales practices.
NBC Today Show video, April 22, 2009
RAC Warranty sees used car buyers opting for longer extended warranties.
Motor Trader, April 22, 2009
A.M. Best assigns B+ (Good) rating to Golden Insurance Co. RRG, captive of StrucSure.
Press Release, April 22, 2009
ServicePower signs GE Consumer & Industrial and Flextronics for scheduling system.
Press Release, April 21, 2009
LG India promises better warranty support to Computer Media Dealers Association.
CRN India, April 21, 2009
Oklahoma orders VSI Vehicles Services Inc. to cease telemarketing in the state.
Associated Press, April 20, 2009
Attensity Corp., Empolis GmbH, and Living-e AG merge to form the Attensity Group.
Press Release, April 20, 2009
Manitowoc using Esker on Demand Fax Services to automate delivery of warranty documents.
Press Release, April 20, 2009 (PDF file)
U.S. Fidelis founder Darain Atkinson did time in prison for counterfeiting and forgery.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 19, 2009
New York City MTA says its contracts make it difficult to get subway escalators repaired.
AM New York, April 19, 2009
Home warranty effort once again falls short in Washington state senate.
The Olympian, April 18, 2009
EPA to consider 15% ethanol-gasoline blends, but higher mixes pose car warranty issues.
Wall Street Journal, April 17, 2009
Grays Online auction buyers get 12-month appliance warranty despite Kleenmaid's insolvency.
Illawarra Mercury, April 17, 2009
SigmaQuest announces April 30 webinar on improving the costs of quality within the supply chain.
Press Release, April 16, 2009
Sprint updates its warranty policy, drops $35 to $55 in-warranty service fees.
Phone News, April 16, 2009
Custom installers of wall-mounted flat-panel displays absorb true cost of warranty work.
CE Pro, April 16, 2009
Belkin India's surge protector product warranties to also cover connected equipment.
Channel Times, April 16, 2009
Chrysler wins $47.6 million in warranty lawsuit against supplier Hutchinson FTS.
Journal Register News Service, April 15, 2009
Canadian Trucking Alliance says biodiesel averaging rules risk voiding their warranties.
Press Release, April 15, 2009
Financial specialist explains what to look for when evaluating an extended warranty.
WKOW-TV Madison (WI), April 15, 2009
U.S. Fidelis vs. Better Business Bureau: Dueling statements on extended warranty firm.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 15, 2009
Magic Investments buys the Crazy Eddie retail name and intends to bring it back!
Brand Week, April 14, 2009
Microsoft Xbox 360 warranty extended for E74 error message.
Major Nelson, April 14, 2009
Service Line Warranties sells utility line warranty protection to homeowners in West Verginia.
WBOY-TV Clarksburg WV, April 14, 2009
Avocent white paper addresses issues in tracking costs of service contract and warranty renewals.
Press Release, April 14, 2009
Report finds UN rebuilding blunders, defects and warranty issues in Afghanistan projects.
Associated Press, April 14, 2009
Asus offers warranty in India for motherboards burnt by power fluctuations.
CRN India, April 13, 2009
Tech Mahindra subsidiary Venturbay Consultants to buy 51% stake in Satyam Computer Services.
Indo-Asian News Service, April 13, 2009
Cutting dealerships key to reducing GM and Chrysler's costs.
Los Angeles Times, April 13, 2009
Nationwide Home Warranty wanted records that a dishwasher was regularly maintained.
KTVK-TV Phoenix, April 13, 2009
Cummins to discontinue making ComfortGuard power units but warranties will continue.
Land Line Magazine, April 13, 2009
Russia threatened to void the warranty on tanks upgraded by Israeli defense companies.
Defense Update, April 13, 2009
Warranties and try-before-buy are biggest issues with duty-free shopping for electronics.
Sydney Morning Herald, April 12, 2009
Town Fair Tire warranty records spark sales tax battle between NH & MA governments.
Boston Herald, April 11, 2009
Australian appliance company Kleenmaid Group goes into administration; warranties worthless.
Sydney Morning Herald, April 10, 2009
U.S. Fidelis has more Better Business Bureau complaints than just about anyone else in town.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 9, 2009
Poll finds 57% willing to buy car from bankrupt company if U.S. backs warranty.
CNN, April 9, 2009
Man who tricked Cisco Systems out of $3.7 million in parts gets 6-1/2 years in prison.
The Oregonian, April 8, 2009
Apple issues bulletin to authorized service providers on white MacBook casing cracks.
Apple Insider, April 8, 2009
Musical instrument retailer Sweetwater Sound offers two-year product warranties.
Press Release, April 8, 2009
Guide to passenger car makers' buyer assurance and warranty programs.
Associated Press, April 8, 2009
Canadian government to spend up to $185 million to back warranties of new GM & Chrysler cars.
Toronto Globe and Mail, April 7, 2009
Auto suppliers get $700 million in receivables insurance from Canadian government.
Financial Post, April 8, 2009
Websters Twinfisher increases warranty period for all its boats to five years.
Press Release, April 7, 2009
Sensor manufacturer Endevco lengthens warranties to five years.
Test & Measurement World, April 7, 2009
MSX International teams with Xtime Inc. to sell software to auto dealers.
Press Release, April 6, 2009
Samsung India to offer pick-up warranty services for notebook computers.
CRN India, April 6, 2009
U.S. car warranty program will be run by the Treasury Department, which has never defaulted.
Denver Post, April 5, 2009
The Ford Advantage and GM's Total Confidence plans will make car payments if buyer loses job.
Orlando Sentinel, April 4, 2009
Zodiac dealers to sell extended warranies for inflatable boats bought through a liquidator.
Press Release, April 4, 2009
President Obama may soon come to regret getting himself so entangled in the car business.
Washington Post, April 3, 2009
Fleetwood Enterprises gets bankruptcy court approval to pay warranty claims.
Press Release, April 3, 2009
Steve Saleen says SMS Supercars will honor Saleen Inc. warranties.
Motor Trend, April 3, 2009
Oki Printing Solutions extends three-year warranty offer to its entire printer product line.
CRN, April 2, 2009
Para Systems announces exteneded warranty plans for Minuteman uninterruptible power supplies.
Press Release, April 1, 2009
Voting machine service contracts canceled in New Mexico due to non-payment.
Associated Press, April 1, 2009
Plug In America wants California’s stringent warranty requirements for electric cars reduced.
Canadian Driver, April 1, 2009
Chairman of the House Budget Committee says auto warranty plan needs legislative authorization.
CNS News.com, April 1, 2009
House Minority Leader worries about effect U.S. warranty plan will have on Honda.
CQ Politics, April 2, 2009
Experts say potential auto bankruptcy reorganizations might not be easy or quick.
Associated Press, April 1, 2009
An open letter from filmmaker Michael Moore on the firing of GM's CEO.
Web Blog, April 1, 2009
U.S. government will stand by GM's car warranties and all the taxpayers will get a lube job.
Human Events, April 1, 2009
Visteon UK Ltd files for administration with the UK High Court under the Insolvency Act 1986.
Press Release, March 31, 2009
White House ousts GM CEO, plans to backstop GM & Chrysler warranties during restructuring.
USA Today, March 30, 2009
What the U.S. government's Warranty Commitment Program means.
Associated Press, March 30, 2009
Understanding Obama’s auto warranty plan.
New York Times, March 30, 2009
Plan for GM may involve a bankruptcy filing with careful help from the government.
Los Angeles Times, March 30, 2009
Industry players say Canada should also back car warranties.
Toronto Star, March 31, 2009
Pro: Washington state's home warranty bill would make homebuilders accountable.
Washington Olympian, March 30, 2009
Con: Washington state's home warranty bill would push up the price of all housing.
Washington Olympian, March 30, 2009
KPIT Cummins Infosystems releases slideshow on high performance warranty management.
Press Release, March 30, 2009
Bogus expiring warranty scam calls going to Chico police 911 system operators.
Chico (CA) Enterprise-Record, March 29, 2009
Nike's two-year shoe warranty starts on the manufacturing date, not the purchase date.
Toronto Star, March 28, 2009
Mississippi regulator fines Vehicle Warranty Options for violating state’s no-call list.
Associated Press, March 27, 2009
Keeping tire warranty valid could mean costly front end repair.
San Jose Mercury News, March 27, 2009
Best Buy sees "low single-digit gain" in extended warranty sales, rise in avg. price.
Press Release, March 26, 2009 (PDF file)
Tesla Motors begins taking orders for the Model S, an all electric family sedan due in 2011.
Press Release, March 26, 2009
ServicePower Technologies says 2008 revenues increased by 11% to £15.6 million.
Press Release, March 26, 2009 (PDF file)
National Warranty Insurance RRG becomes an issue in Nebraska candidate's lawsuit.
Associated Press, March 25, 2009
Ex-auto dealer David L. Shank arrested for allegedly pocketing extended warranty premiums.
Hanover (PA) Evening Sun, March 24, 2009
Author compares AIG mispricing credit default swaps to GM underaccruing for warranty costs.
Forbes, March 24, 2009
Eaton certifies the first 10 warranty centers under its Eaton Warranty Center Program.
Press Release, March 24, 2009
Cimtek CEO Stan Smith named a 2009 Supply & Demand Chain Executive Pro to Know.
Press Release, March 24, 2009 (PDF file)
Tata Motors launches tiny Nano car with an 18-month, 24,000-kilometer warranty.
Press Release, March 23, 2009
SAS Institute releases SAS Enterprise Miner, reduces large sets of variables to smaller subsets.
Press Release, March 23, 2009
Hitachi Power Tools offers a 10-year warranty on its Lithium Ion cordless tools.
Press Release, March 23, 2009
Michigan iPod repairman charged with warranty fraud.
Associated Press, March 19, 2009
National Car Rental forbids use of B30 biodiesel in its rental cars, fearing warranty problems.
Tusker News, March 19, 2009
ArvinMeritor introduces truck driveline with three-year, 300,000-mile warranty.
Press Release, March 19, 2009
GM warranty support staff in Ontario poised to strike.
Canadian Driver, March 18, 2009
UK company called We Predict develops system to help automakers reduce warranty costs.
Wales Online, March 18, 2009
Data Savers offers data recovery services to Apple customers getting their drives replaced.
Press Release, March 18, 2009
West Virginia legislation would let used car dealers sell old vehicles without a warranty.
Charleston Gazette, March 18, 2009
Office Depot salesmen won't sell laptops to customers not buying extended warranties.
KCAL-TV Los Angeles, March 17, 2009
A.M. Best affirms A- (Excellent) ratings of London General Insurance Company Limited.
Press Release, March 17, 2009
Chery Automobile models on sale in Thailand with three-year, 100,000-kilometer warranty.
The Nation, March 17, 2009
Boston-Power’s laptop batteries, based on Sonata technology, given three-year warranty by HP.
Press Release, March 16, 2009
Nvidia paid out $43.6 million to cover the cost of graphics chip defects in latest fiscal year.
CNET News.com, March 16, 2009
ClearCount Medical Solutions gives surgery warranty that no sponges will be left behind.
Press Release, March 16, 2009 (PDF file)
Empire Kitchen & Bath will give a five-year warranty on all kitchen remodeling projects.
Press Release, March 16, 2009
Archetype Joint says joints and fasteners account for 70% of warranty cost and 20% of recalls.
Press Release, March 16, 2009
Michigan dealer group head predicts GM will always honor warranties, even in bankruptcy.
Lansing State Journal, March 15, 2009
GM effort to drop dealers faces state laws and contracts that will slow the process.
Detroit Free Press, March 15, 2009
Warranty complaints that vehicles would not restart once placed in park prompts GM recall.
Reuters, March 13, 2009
Proton Cars covers GEN-2 Special Edition vehicles with a five-year warranty.
Press Release, March 12, 2009
4CS Inc. announces Service Suite, including its iWarranty warranty lifecycle management module.
Press Release, March 12, 2009
U.S. Dept. of Defense renews SigmaQuest's International Traffic in Arms Regulation certification.
Press Release, March 12, 2009
Washington state Senate, House each pass separate home warranty bills.
Associated Press, March 11, 2009
New Jersey governor suggests taking $10 million from the New Home Warranty Security Fund.
Cherry Hill (NJ) Courier-Post, March 11, 2009
Renewable Fuels Association says 15% ethanol blends will force auto warranties to change.
Ethanol Report (audio file), March 11, 2009
Emocean Marine shipyard in Abu Dhabi says it has the best warranty in the region.
Press Release, March 11, 2009
Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. files voluntary petitions for Chapter 11 protection.
Press Release, March 10, 2009
Monaco Coach dealers to get incentive payments against warranty claims that have accrued.
Eugene (OR) Register-Guard, March 10, 2009
Office Depot employee says chain has 30% extended warranty attach rate quota for laptops.
Laptop Magazine, March 10, 2009
Microsoft Notebook Cooling Base and Arc Base mouse have three-year warranties.
Press Release, March 10, 2009
Indian computer trade association launches Web sites to deal with warranty issues.
Channel Times, March 10, 2009
Fulcrum and 4CS announce a strategic marketing partnership.
Press Release, March 9, 2009
Dell Latitude E6400 XFR rugged touch-screen laptop has three-year warranty.
PC World, March 9, 2009
AIAG recognizes 30 companies for their 25 years of membership.
Press Release, March 9, 2009 (PDF file)
New owners of racing car maker Saleen Inc. won't honor warranties on any existing vehicles.
Motor Trend, March 9, 2009
RV dealer sells motor homes made by bankrupt Monaco covered by an extended warranty.
Tulsa World, March 7, 2009
Pedata RV touts extended warranties to cover buyers whose manufacturers go out of business.
Press Release, March 6, 2009
Miguel Caballero to sell bullet-proof T-shirts covered by five-year warranties.
Deccan Herald, March 6, 2009
Home warranty bills advance in Minnesota, despite opposition of builders.
Finance & Commerce, March 5, 2009
Warranty work is bargaining chip in Transport Workers Union strike talks.
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 5, 2009
Hewlett-Packard makes HP Insight Remote Support service free for all warranty holders.
Press Release, March 4, 2009
Univ. of South Dakota students lose the extended warranties they had on Gateway laptops.
The Volante, March 4, 2009
Consumers in Dubai need to be educated about their warranty rights.
Gulf News, March 4, 2009
Chrysler says its corporate warranty claim rate is down over 30% in the last 12 months.
Press Release, March 3, 2009
Warrantech appoints Dominic Sansone as president of Warrantech Automotive.
Press Release, March 3, 2009
Warranty Solutions selects the StoneEagle Group's SecureCard for claims management.
Press Release, March 3, 2009
Meisho to fix Melbourne's crippled Southern Star Observation Wheel under warranty.
The Age, March 2, 2009
ACS to provide Brother International with data entry services for warranty registration cards.
Press Release, March 2, 2009
Monaco Coach gives termination notices to the majority of its remaining workforce.
Press Release, March 2, 2009
Nokia stops selling the 5800 XpressMusic mobile phone in U.S. due to 3G signal issues.
Information Week, March 1, 2009
Warranties on unlocked Etisalat iPhones undercut imports and grey market prices.
The National (UAE), March 1, 2009
 

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