Tough times call for desperate measures and car makers are doing everything they can to sustain sales. In an unprecedented move, Hyundai is offering buyers free job insurance that allows the customers to return their cars penalty-free if they become unemployed within 12 months of buying a new Hyundai.

“In this uncertain economy, we are looking for ways to reassure shoppers that Hyundai still represents the best value in the auto industry,” said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, in a Press Release.

The program will be done in conjugation with WALKWAY USA, an automotive retail company. Hyundai’s program will be a private label version of the WALKWAY’S protection for automotive financing service.

The company is hoping that this new campaign will reassure customers. The customers can simply drop off their car at their dealer and stop paying the loan in case they become unemployed within 12 months of buying their new Hyundai.

Press Release after the jump.

Hyundai Teams with WALKAWAY USA to Offer Consumers One-of-a-Kind Vehicle Return Program

Hyundai Motor America announced today an agreement with WALKAWAY USA, LLC to offer consumers unique financial protection in this uncertain economic environment called the “Hyundai Assurance Program.” Beginning today, Hyundai will provide a private label version of WALKAWAY(R) Protection for Automotive Financing as a complimentary 12-month vehicle return program provided on every new Hyundai that is financed or leased at participating dealers. WALKAWAY USA, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EFG Companies, a Dallas-based, national performance management company serving the retail automotive industry.

The Hyundai Assurance Program expands the protection offered through “The Hyundai Advantage: America’s Best Warranty,” which has provided 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain protection to Hyundai owners for a decade. The Hyundai Assurance Program is complimentary for one full year, covers all Hyundai models and is available to everyone.

“In this uncertain economy, we are looking for ways to reassure shoppers that Hyundai still represents the best value in the auto industry,” said John Krafcik, acting president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “Our agreement with WALKAWAY allows us to offer a unique form of financial protection in all 50 states for the first time by an automaker.”

The Hyundai Assurance Program, the first of its kind for an automaker in the U.S. auto industry, will be offered to Hyundai exclusively by WALKAWAY USA. WALKAWAY USA holds the exclusive U.S. distribution license to the WALKAWAY program originated in Canada. Since its introduction in Canada in 2000, WALKAWAY has made it possible for consumers to walk away from over $35 million in automotive-related debt and has provided WALKAWAY retailers with a competitive sales advantage.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Hyundai in offering this program through an automaker for the first time in the United States,” said Paul Budvitis, president of WALKAWAY USA, LLC. “WALKAWAY is one of the most innovative products to hit the auto-finance marketplace, addressing consumers’ most pressing challenge to purchasing a new car in today’s economy.”

The Hyundai Assurance Program complements America’s Best Warranty as standard protection on new vehicles financed or leased from a participating Hyundai dealer, and supplements all existing consumer incentives. The program is available to any consumer, regardless of age, health, employment history or financed amount of the vehicle. The program is complimentary for the first 12 months of the financing or lease date for vehicles financed through Hyundai Motor Finance Company and other third-party lenders and financing sources.

For more details about the Hyundai Assurance Program, please visit http://www.hyundaiusa.com/ or http://www.hyundaiassurance.com/.