Kia considering 7 year warranty!

[Yellow_Festiva]

Dead set... will be a game changer if it happens here!

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...816-2s1hk.html

Kia considering seven-year warranty
August 16, 2013

South Korean brand says it is studying whether to better its class-leading new car warranty for extra peace of mind.

Kia could boost its new car warranty to seven years - but only if consumers want it.

Kia Motors in Europe currently offers a seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty, and it is the only brand in that market to do so. And the brand’s local arm is considering a local roll-out of the aftersales customer care program.
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Kia Australia president and CEO Charlie Kim told Drive at the launch of the new Cerato hatchback that a seven-year warranty is something the brand is “very much considering”, despite it already offering a class-leading five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

“We are carefully studying a seven-year warranty,” Kim says.

“That study is one of our main categories [of research],” he says. “At the moment, the survey has different messages. So that’s why more study is required.

“One of the messages is that you're already offering the best warranty condition in this market.

“Some people say it is quite useful, quite a good tool to make the customer happy. But the other is a different angle,” he says. “It depends how the market reacts.

“It's a big change. Such kinds of decisions made on new policy aren’t made in one night. We have to check various different sectors. So to upgrade that warranty condition we have that consideration.

Kia also offers a lengthy five-year capped price servicing plan on its new cars, but Kim wouldn’t be drawn to comment on whether the brand could also consider extending that to seven years if the warranty decision gets the green light.

“Still we are favourably studying,” he says.

Matt Campbell

This has been happening in Europe for a few years now actually:

A picture I took in Malta April 2011:



7 years of piece of mind motoring???? Would that finally make you change brands?

[Rodge]

It could make a difference if I liked any of their vehicles (which I don't).

[kaniSS]

Give me 20 years. Still wouldn't buy one. Not a fan.

[BadMax]

It will help sales in Australia, it reaffirms that it's a brand on the move and won't back down. Their product has changed significantly over the last five years, has a little,go,refinement wise.
I think it will be a success as less and less Australians buying new cars are concerned with the badge it carries. When in the US last year, the roads were choc full of Kia's!

[Franco Cozzo]

Is it like Ford's warranty? when you try make a claim they all do that its normal.

[mac_man_luke]

Originally Posted by kaniSS

Give me 20 years. Still wouldn't buy one. Not a fan.

Some of the new kias dont look half bad...

[tranquilized]

Originally Posted by mac_man_luke

Some of the new kias dont look half bad...

You're quite right, some of them look great. Kia's head of styling is Peter Schreyer, who learnt his trade for 25 years or so at Audi.

When Kia poach some talented engineers from a German maker, or from anywhere else really, who can actually make them steer and handle properly, then a Kia may be worth considering for a driving enthusiast. Until then they're just a pretty appliance. I wouldn't consider one if they came with a 20 year warranty with free fuel...

[WILDB]

Looks are one thing, driving dynamics are another - but then again that's an area where both Kia and Hyundai are lacking by comparison to some other marques.

Before anyone tries to claim I don't know what I'm on about, I have driven every model in the current Kia line up.

[olds]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Is it like Ford's warranty? when you try make a claim they all do that its normal.

That attitude has worked out well for Ford hasn't it

[BadMax]

Driving dynamics to a petrol head is one thing, driving dynamics to Jane and Jose bloggs is something else.
We drove a veloster turbo, it was pleasant enough to drive certainly not an ST. But if you wanted a brand spanking new car, with a little poke, plenty of bels and whistles on a tight budget, it would do the trick. Oh a decent warranty as well.

[PridenJoy]

I actually quite like the Optima, good looking four door sedan and is loaded with tech (i think, don't know enough about them). Dunno about the driving experience though as I have never been in one.

[jamies]

Ha ha brilliant said no ford fan ever.

[Bossxr8]

If only they made something worth buying then it might be a damn good thing. But long warranties aren't exactly a massive selling point. It's nice to have but at the end of the day you don't drive a warranty do you?

Maybe they could start by making a car than has more power than a wound up rubber band.

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by BadMax

Driving dynamics to a petrol head is one thing, driving dynamics to Jane and Jose bloggs is something else.
We drove a veloster turbo, it was pleasant enough to drive certainly not an ST. But if you wanted a brand spanking new car, with a little poke, plenty of bels and whistles on a tight budget, it would do the trick. Oh a decent warranty as well.

This...
The average optima buyer is the same demographic that buys camrys and accords, and other 'appliance' cars.
When I got my fg my final three I was choosing between was the fg, a ve ss and an ex demo optima.
The optima really really impressed me. It drove really nice, sure its no racecar, but its not supposed to be.
I just found it boring, although in hindsight I probably should have bought it lol.

[BadMax]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Maybe they could start by making a car than has more power than a wound up rubber band.

Is it safe to assume that you drive a stock or tuned coyote or I6T?
Because the rest of the modern range is pretty much useless.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

If only they made something worth buying then it might be a damn good thing. But long warranties aren't exactly a massive selling point. It's nice to have but at the end of the day you don't drive a warranty do you?

Maybe they could start by making a car than has more power than a wound up rubber band.

It is all about backing up the product, a very good sales pitch that has put up the ante on the opposition.

It will definitely increase their sales.....

[Franco Cozzo]

I don't mind their Sorrento, especially the 2.2L diesel, that thing is amazing.

I'd buy one of those.

[XR Martin]

How is it a 'game changer' (most over used term going around) when Mitsubishi had 10 year warranty years ago?

[FALCONXTV8]

My wife has a Kia Optima Platinum and while its certainly no powerhouse it absolutely murders my GT for features. Sat Nav, power adjustable seats and mirrors, heated and cooled seats, panaromic roof are just a few of the features it has that the GT is lacking.

Been a great car so far and can even get from Sydney to Brisbane on one tank of fuel.

[PridenJoy]

I believe Mitsu had a 10 year 'drive train' warranty.

A seven year bumper to bumper warranty is better and would impress me a lot more.

[Windsor220]

That article is wrong. Its only unlimited for the first 3 years otherwise its up to 100,000miles (160,000km)

[danzvtil]

hope so! i just bought a kia, getting it in a month, maybe they will backdate the 7yr warranty?









____________________
2013 FG ECOPLI UTE
ON ORDER>>>>>>
2013 KIA RIO SLS
____________________

[NickyN]

Originally Posted by BadMax

It will help sales in Australia, it reaffirms that it's a brand on the move and won't back down. Their product has changed significantly over the last five years, has a little,go,refinement wise.
I think it will be a success as less and less Australians buying new cars are concerned with the badge it carries. When in the US last year, the roads were choc full of Kia's!

It's because they're cheaper and have better mileage.....and like a friend told me before, Kia has to add all the extra gadgets and bling whereas other brands don't need to rely on the extras to sell. All personal preference.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Is it like Ford's warranty? when you try make a claim they all do that its normal.

True, but at least this will give you 4 more years to keep pestering them..

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Is it like Ford's warranty? when you try make a claim they all do that its normal.

I'd still buy a new falcon if it had no warranty. Just take a chunk out of the price or have a warranty delete option.

Kia should go one up and offer a 7 year replacement guarantee on their disposable cars. Fix all the returned ones up and list them as factory seconds..

[creative]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Is it like Ford's warranty? when you try make a claim they all do that its normal.

Having recently used their warranty service, we had no problems what so ever with the claim. Basically had a new gearbox and clutch replaced into the girlfriends my13 Rio. The dealer has been a pleasure to deal with from the word go!

KIA have come along way in terms of build quality and the fact they can provide all the toys and gadgets as standard is a plus in my book. If they had a performance vehicle in their lineup I would certainly consider one!

[350125GO]

Geez 7 years. Why would you bother with anything else if all you want is A to B transport?

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by creative

Having recently used their warranty service, we had no problems what so ever with the claim. Basically had a new gearbox and clutch replaced into the girlfriends my13 Rio. The dealer has been a pleasure to deal with from the word go!

On the other hand my Focus has had half its value in warranty 'repairs' already that has only been after a lot of arguing, emails and calls to CRC.... It's still not right but I have given up.

Some only a few months out of warranty.... and that was a real challenge.

Most repairs were sub standard and it is a poor reflection of the brand when 3 different people at the same dealer can say a problem is 1) A certain problem that is an obvious manufacture fault, 2) Normal sorry... 'characteristic' 3) A problem that I will need to pay for as it's 'wear and tear' when they and I know it really isn't.

If anything, it may force the others to up their standard factory warranty. I really think that 5yrs / 160k km should be the norm now.

It's really great when new cars have all this high tech mechanics, electronics and safety equipment installed.... what is really bad is when it fails or malfunctions well before it should and customers are out of pocket several thousands of dollars through no fault of their own.

I don't believe that Korean cars are the be all and end all. Trust me, but perhaps Ford, and other brands can learn a thing or 2 from their growth in the market place over the last 10 years.

[Franco Cozzo]

^ The problem is most likely the mechanics have no clue how any of that **** works so they can't diagnose it, especially DSG etc and there would probably be a lack of support with getting information out of Ford Europe.

Dealerships are only really interested in turning over lots of easy jobs, and if it was anything like Honda I worked at, if you turned over more than $10,000 in sales a day across the 5 days of the working week, everyone got bonus.

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by Windsor220

That article is wrong. Its only unlimited for the first 3 years otherwise its up to 100,000miles (160,000km)

Seems you are correct:

http://www.kia.co.uk/owners/warranty.aspx

Kia 7 Year Warranty

We’re confident that you’ll enjoy your Kia. All Kia vehicles have been designed and engineered to the highest safety and performance standards – giving you confidence and peace of mind.

We subject all our vehicles to stringent quality checks before they leave the factory which is then followed by a comprehensive dealer Pre-Delivery Inspection. This means that your new Kia has been thoroughly inspected and tested – before it’s delivered to you.
7 Year Warranty Across the Range

With the introduction of the Kia cee’d in 2007, we launched our industry leading 7 year warranty. Because of the trust we have in the quality of our vehicles, we then made our 7 year warranty available to the rest of our Kia models in 2010. So any new Kia registered on or after the 1st of January 2010 now has our incredible 7 year warranty. The warranty is a full 7 years from date of first registration OR to a maximum of 100,000 miles (whichever occurs first). For the first three years of the warranty, the mileage is unlimited.

Still, not a bad offer considering that if you break it down you are talking about coverage for cars that travel almost 23,000km a year, which is above the average that most drivers would cover anyway.

There is nothing really in the Kia range that I'm interested in (in this point in time), having said that, I'm curious if Hyundai will follow as there are a few cars in their range I would be happy to have in my garage.