Bigger Warranties and Multi-Brand Coverage Help Kia India Boost Its Used Car Business
The way Kia India is expanding its certified-pre-owned (CPO) business by allowing multi-brand car certification and increasing warranty durations.
In order to foster trust in the used car market, the new warranty plans, inspection procedures, and network development are important features.
In an effort to increase buyer confidence in the organized used car market, Kia's India division has announced major improvements to its Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program.
Instead of the previous 5 years, Kia's own used vehicles can now be certified for up to 7 years.
The warranty for certified Kia vehicles has been extended to 24 months or 40,000 kilometers, whichever comes first.
Crucially, purchasers will receive a warranty of up to 12 months or 15,000 kilometers for non-Kia brand vehicles sold through Kia's CPO network.
Every vehicle certified under the program, whether Kia or not, goes through a thorough 175-point inspection that covers ownership history, mechanical, electrical, and structural systems. The certification tag is only awarded to cars that meet this requirement.
Kia India is one of the fastest-growing organized used-car networks in India, with 114 CPO locations. According to the corporation, the decision to add older and multi-brand automobiles is in line with changing consumer preferences, as more buyers are choosing reliable, certified used cars over unofficial ones.
The pool of automobiles that can be certified is increased by extending the age of eligibility for Kia models to seven years, which benefits purchasers looking for value and owners who wish to resell.
By providing warranties on non-Kia brands, Kia's network is able to compete in the organized market and draw in a larger used car buyer base in addition to new car sales.
Stronger warranty terms and the inspection and certification procedure are intended to alleviate the lack of trust that frequently occurs in India's used car market.
From a commercial standpoint, this action keeps customers in Kia's ecosystem (for maintenance, parts, and trade-ins) and may boost sales of new cars when certified used buyers upgrade.
Customers should check with their local CPO dealer to find out the precise amount or extra charge for the extended warranty or certification, as it hasn't been widely disclosed.
Buyers should compare terms because non-Kia automobiles have a lesser warranty (12 months/15,000 km) than Kia cars (24 months/40,000 km).
While certification raises the bar for quality and post-purchase assistance, it does not ensure that there are no problems.
In addition to making sure the car satisfies all inspection requirements, buyers should verify the vehicle's ownership, service history, and original condition.
In addition to making sure the car satisfies all inspection requirements, buyers should verify the vehicle's original condition, ownership, and service history.
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