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Watchdog says 'lifetime' Opel guarantee is a lie

DPA/The Local
DPA/The Local - [email protected]
Watchdog says 'lifetime' Opel guarantee is a lie
Photo: DPA

Germany’s advertising watchdog on Tuesday threatened to sue carmaker Opel for misleading customers with a widely advertised promise of a “lifetime guarantee” on all new cars.

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In a development that could turn the offer into a PR disaster for General Motors struggling German division, the watchdog has taken issue with the fact that the guarantee contains a raft of caveats, not least that it runs out after 160,000 kilometres.

The Centre for Protection against Unfair Competition (WBZ), which keeps an eye on companies’ compliance with advertising and marketing laws, has sent the firm a warning notice stating it is making false promises in its advertising.

The WBZ has threatened Opel with legal action if it does not withdraw the campaign within two days and sign a “cease and desist” declaration.

“We are taking issue here with a misleading, attention-grabbing promotion. In contrast to the major announcement, a ‘lifetime’ guarantee from Opel is not actually ensured,” said WBZ board member Rainer Münker.

“A lie in an attention-grabbing statement cannot be ‘explained’ or ‘moderated’ by an explanation with an asterisk,” he said.

Opel promised to consider the warning letter from the watchdog. “The guarantee offer from Opel has achieved an outstanding response from our customers,” a spokesman said.

Opel boss Nick Reilly announced the guarantee earlier this month, saying at the time he wanted to strengthening “trust in our products.”

But the guarantee is limited to 160,000 kilometres. And while labour costs will be covered completely, the cost of parts will be fully covered only for the first 50,000 kilometres. After that, customers pay an increasing share of the replacement parts – 60 percent after the car has been driven 100,000 kilometres.

Once the car changes hands, the guarantee ends unless the the new owner pays a three figure sum per year.

Opel has struggled ever since the world fell into the financial crisis in 2008. From January through July this year, Opel sold 131,364 vehicles – down 40 percent from the same period last year, when the so-called “cash for clunker” scheme encouraged many people to buy a new car.

Limited predominately to Europe, GM’s Opel/Vauxhall unit has not been able to profit from surging demand for cars in China and North America, making its share of its home market that much more crucial.

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