Brunswick adds nine brands to protection promotion

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Brunswick Corporation is expanding its Payment Protection promotion, which will make the monthly boat payments for those buyers who may lose their jobs due to current economic conditions, to an additional nine of the company’s boat brands, Brunswick reported in a release this morning.

Twelve of Brunswick’s boat brands are now participants in the promotion, which was expanded in response to “grassroots dealer and consumer sentiment,” and will continue through the Fourth of July weekend, the company said.

The brands added to the promotion include: Cypress Cay and Palmetto Pontoon, Harris FloteBote, Kayot as well as select models in the Crestliner, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft and Triton aluminum boat lines.

Those brands join Bayliner, Maxum and Trophy as eligible for the promotion. The qualifying monthly payments can go up to $500 for the Bayliner, Maxum and Trophy brands and up to $250 per month for all other brands. Customers must take delivery of their new boats by July 6, 2009.

Under the Brunswick Payment Protection promotion, these participating Brunswick boat brands will pay up to nine months of payments if the boat buyer loses his or her job within a year after the boat purchase. Brunswick Corporation said it is the first company in the marine industry to launch such a large-scale payment protection program, taking its cue from similar efforts that have been used successfully in the automotive industry by Hyundai, Ford and General Motors.

“We are pleased to respond to our dealers and consumers, and offer this assistance during a challenging marine market,” said Brunswick Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dustan E. McCoy. “In today’s economy, it is important to do what we can to alleviate consumer concerns over many issues, including the potential of job loss. We wish to restore confidence for the American boat buyer, so that they are able to fulfill their boating dream and spend quality time with family and friends on the water this summer. They can count on Brunswick for quality products, as well as resourceful financing and insurance options. We are committed to advancing the boating industry.”

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