Volkswagen Group of America will begin offering free vehicle service starting in the 2009 model year in a move to boost sales and shed the German brand’s image of high-cost maintenance.

The “Carefree Maintenance Program” will give owners of 2009 Volkswagen cards and SUVs free scheduled service for three years or 36,000 miles as well as a checkup after 90 days or 6,000 miles.

According to the COO of Volkswagen Group of America, Mark Barnes, the program will make V-dub ”the only automaker among our key competitors to offer a no-charge maintenance program.”

BMW started a similar free-service program in the late 1990s, which it continues to market even today, to shed the image of expensive maintenance and its nickname Break My Wallet.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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