Chrysler offers money-back guarantees on minivans in effort to lure more buyers

Chrysler offers money-back guarantees on minivans

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Chrysler Group LLC is offering a 60-day money-back guarantee on its minivans to attract customers who may be turned off by its financial troubles.

The Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker says buyers can get the guarantee by trading any vehicle made by another automaker for a Dodge Grand Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country minivan. The offer runs through March 31.

Buyers must drive the minivans for at least 30 days. If they aren’t satisfied, they can return them to the dealer for a refund of the purchase price, minus registration and license fees.

Spokeswoman Kathy Graham says the offer is being made to attract people who may not consider Chrysler products. The company went through bankruptcy protection last year and has received $15.5 billion in U.S. government aid.

Anyone returning a minivan would not get their trade-in vehicle back, the van can’t have been driven more than 4,000 miles and it can’t have more than $200 worth of damage, Graham said.

Also, the customer must pay Chrysler 30 cents per mile that the minivan was driven, she said.

Graham said the offer is not targeted at Toyota Motor Corp., which has had recent safety recall problems. Instead, it’s the company trying to attract buyers who may not shop Chrysler Group vehicles because of recent news about its bankruptcy protection.

“Some of our products that are really good have been overshadowed by what’s happened to the company,” she said.

Last year, General Motors Co., which also went through bankruptcy protection and is receiving government aid, offered a 60-day money-back guarantee to get people to try its cars and trucks. The offer ended Jan. 4.