DaimlerChrysler has extended the test phase to be undergone by new models, to combat a recent increase in electronic warranty faults associated with new technology.

The development of a new model will now last for 40 months, including 12 months of different test programmes.

However, the longer tests will not adversely affect DaimlerChrysler’s average rate of model replacement, since the overall time to market for new models has been cut through design technology advances.