Kia Expands Consumer Protection
10 July 2000
New Long Haul Warranty Offers Significantly Longer Coverage
IRVINE, Calif. - Kia, the company that thinks it's time everybody had a
well-made car, also thinks it's time everybody had a long, strong warranty.
Demonstrating even greater confidence in its vehicle quality, Kia today
announced that model-year 2001 vehicles -- and all remaining 2000 model-year
vehicles in dealer stock -- will be covered by a new comprehensive customer
protection plan that features substantially improved basic and powertrain
warranty coverage plus an extended roadside assistance plan.
The Kia Long Haul Warranty Program consists of three basic components: a
10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year or
60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year or 60,000-mile roadside
assistance plan. In each instance, the coverage ends when either the yearly
or total-mileage figure is reached.
The previous Kia warranty was the industry-standard three-year or
36,000-mile limited basic warranty, a five-year or 60,000-mile limited
powertrain warranty and three-year or 36,000-mile roadside assistance
coverage.
"Our vehicle quality continues to improve and this warranty is evidence
that we stand behind our vehicles," said B.M. Ahn, Kia president and chief
executive officer. "The Long Haul Warranty Program will deliver significantly
more coverage than our competitors, and that's another great reason to buy our
vehicles."
The first 2001 model to offer the new warranty program is the all-new Kia
Rio subcompact sedan, which is set to go on sale Aug. 1 at Kia dealerships
nationwide.
"Because of the significant customer benefits of the Kia Long Haul
Warranty, we'll advertise it extensively in national and regional campaigns,"
said Dick Macedo, Kia's executive vice president of marketing and sales, who
has been the architect of Kia's successful advertising strategy. "We'll
encourage consumers to buy a Kia not just because of the warranty, but because
every Kia is made well, is priced well and comes with a heck of a warranty.
It's the whole package."
In its seventh year of marketing vehicles in the United States, Kia is
America's seventh-largest import vehicle brand by dealer count with more than
580 dealers nationwide. This year Kia is expected to sell more than
160,000 vehicles in the United States. In addition to the soon-to-be-
introduced Rio, Kia also will debut an as-yet-unnamed mid-size sedan before
year's end.
Kia Motors America is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia
Motors Corp. in Seoul, Korea.
Kia Long Haul Warranty Program
Competitive Comparison Chart
Brand Basic Powertrain Corrosion Roadside
Warranty Warranty Warranty Assistance
Kia Long Haul 5 years/ 10 years/ 5 years/ 5 years/
Warranty 60,000 miles 100,000 miles 100,000 miles 60,000 miles
Program
Hyundai 5 years/ 10 years/ 5 years/ 5 years/
60,000 miles 100,000 miles 100,000 miles unlimited
mileage
Isuzu 3 years/ 10 years/ 6 years/ 5 years/
50,000 miles 120,000 miles 100,000 miles 60,000 miles
Toyota 3 years/ 5 years/ 5 years/ None
36,000 miles 60,000 miles unlimited
mileage
Honda 3 years/ 3 years/ 5 years/ None
36,000 miles 36,000 miles unlimited
mileage
Lexus 4 years/ 6 years/ 6 years/ 6 years/
50,000 miles 70,000 miles unlimited unlimited
mileage mileage