General Motors will begin offering what it calls an "industry first" optional extended bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Unlike service contracts now offered by dealers, the GM deal will extend the vehicle's actual manufacturers warranty.

Chevrolet and GMC customers can pay to extend their warranties to five years or sixty thousand miles. Buick and Cadillac customers will be offered warranties that extend to six years or seventy thousand miles.

GM says the deal will also improve the resale value of the vehicles, because the warranty will stay with the vehicle after it's sold.