Unique warranty a feature for motorists switching to LPG

Press, 28 September 1988, Page 46

Unique warranty a feature for motorists switching to LPG

Automotive users of LPG-in New Zealand are offered a unique conversion warranty — a 12month guarantee on all parts and labour, and a six month or 10,000 km warranty on performance. The performance warranty guarantees the vehicle will do everything it’s supposed to for 10,000 km, says LPG Promotions marketing co-or-dinator Brett Ambler. “There would not be a service shop in New Zealand that would offer that to customers taking petrol fuelled vehicles in for a tune and we are not aware of anywhere else in the world where this system of accountability and warranty exists on a national basis. “Indeed the Australians are coming here to look at our Blue Chip scheme as a result of a resurgence of federal interest in automotive LPG.” Safeguards built into the scheme include the authorisation of LPG kit suppliers and installers who must demonstrate their competence, and the checking of all vehicles before and after the installation of LPG kits.

“We found in the old days that kits going into some cars were worth more than the cars. “The vehicle was long in the tooth and in need of engine overhaul, but the kit was being blamed for the poor performance of the car. “Today a preconversion check is mandatory. We look at petrol consumption and further check the vehicle for conversion. “If a vehicle is not showing economy or sufficient output prior to conversion you can’t expect it to afterwards.” Mr Ambler says the system of checks enables LPG promoters to be confident the fleet that’s been converted since October, 1986 has had the best conversion treatment that can possibly be obtained, and that is important. “It’s like anything new. If the wheel falls off the car we are confronted with the customer’s perception that LPG caused it.” The acid test is, he says, the number of complaints. Since October, 1986 there have been 13, all of which he understands

have been resolved to the satisfaction of clients. “If it comes and it has with one customer, that no kit available to us can perform to minimum Blue Chip specifications in a vehicle, we actually remove the kit, restore the car to petrol and give the customer his money back in full. “On that occasion it was a V 8 vehicle that was unable to show economy on LPG or petrol.” With Liquigas’s larger customers, company fleets, it absolutely necessary to get it right, Mr Ambler says.