FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. — Giving its dealers even more selling points and tools to build consumer confidence, Hyundai announced it is enhancing its Assurance Program by adding its America's Best Warranty and 24-hour Roadside Assistance services to the package.

The vehicle return program — which allows Hyundai customers to turn in their rides if they lose their income without warning — was introduced early last year and has been extended through 2010 with the aforementioned enhancements.

Hyundai officials said the program helped the automaker achieve a 6.2-percent upswing in year-to-date sales through November and become the OEM with the most rapidly increasing market share in 2009.

"Hyundai Assurance represents our complete commitment to our customers, with job-loss vehicle return coverage, five years of roadside assistance, and our industry-leading 10-year warranty," stated John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America.

"Assurance shows that we're doing things a little bit differently at Hyundai, and this is making a difference in our business results," he added. "You can expect more of this in 2010, starting with the all-new Tucson and Sonata."

The warranty package, in particular, includes a fully transferrable five-year, 60,000-mile new-vehicle warranty. This repairs or replaces components manufactured or originally installed by Hyundai that become defective in material or factory workmanship, under normal use and maintenance.

It also features a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain coverage for new Hyundai buyers. The automaker said this includes repair or replacement of Hyundai-manufactured or installed powertrain components under normal use and maintenance.

Other provisions of the warranty include a seven-year, unlimited miles anti-perforation warranty; a 12-month, 12,000-mile replacement parts and accessory limited warranty; and an eight-year, 80,000-mile federal emission and performance warranty.

Meanwhile, the Roadside Assistance, which is offered for five years, includes:

—Towing for inoperable vehicles, including accidents

—Battery jump starts

—Change flat tire

—Lock-out assistance

—Out of gas assistance

—Trip interruption

Finally, officials noted that Hyundai Assurance will continue to be standard protection on new vehicles financed or leased via participating Hyundai dealers.

Also, it is suplementary to all existing consumer incentives and offered to all consumers. It is offered regardless of age, health, employment history or financed amount of the vehicle.

Hyundai Assurance is free for the first year of the financing or lease date for models financed through any lender and financing source, they added.