Increased quality leads to less time at the roadside

Dramatically improved Kia build quality and reliability is resulting in less need for the KIAssist programme supplied with every new vehicle, and as a result the programme has been adjusted to one year from date of purchase.

Following a thorough review of programme utilisation spurred on by the increased quality of build and Kia’s enhanced warranties, a significantly reduced incidence call out was revealed; bolstering a confidence in Kia’s products and enabling modification of the programme from three years to one with effect from 1 September 2007.

All new vehicles registered on or after 1 September 2007 will be affected by this change. Vehicles that are registered before 1 September will still be eligible for three years KIAssist cover.

Occurrences of actual vehicle breakdown are extremely low during the three years of cover, and the top five call out requirements are for user related issues such as lock-outs, and running out of fuel. Approximately 15 percent of customers use this service in their first year of Kia ownership, falling to negligible levels in years two and three.

Simon Hetherington, Kia Motors UK Limited Marketing Director said: ‘Kia Motors believe that the cost of providing the programme could be more effectively used in activities that will be to the mutual benefit of both KMUK, the dealer network and customers.’

‘Funding is to be redeployed on an ongoing basis towards enhancements such as the class leading warranty extensions. We already provide the cee’d 7 year bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as the recent extension to the Carens warranty from three years to five,’ he added.

The evolution of these programmes and warranties demonstrates the confidence Kia Motors has in the quality of its products.