Car dealers keen to offer warranties

Press, 7 October 1988, Page 33

Car dealers keen to offer warranties

The Fortron warranty, which gives two years of protection to car owners, has been keenly sought by owners and agents of Japanese imports with over 3000 on file throughout New Zealand. Mr Bruce Higgins, managing director of Fortron, said that dealers have been only too happy to include a Fortron warranty with the cars when they have sold them because of their confidence in the imports. “Considering that most of these vehicles are approximately four years

old with 40,000 to 60,000 km on the clock the risk factor is extremely low. “In general they are exceptionally good buys,” he said. Mr Higgins said that New Zealanders, and Christchurch people more so than North Islanders, are very reluctant to sell their used cars. “They resist selling to a dealer because they are uncomfortable with the idea of a dealer getting his profit and they may not be attaining the top price they think their car is worth.

“The average person will only sell when there is a problem. What then happens is that the car. goes into the dealer who tidies it up both mechanically and in appearance then it is put back on the lot to sell. “Two to four months later other problems may appear which have not show up earlier. The person who bought the car is disenchanted and becomes suspicious of second hand car dealers. “In Japan the scenario is totally different. They do not travel very far by

car, preferring the speed and ease of public transport. Therefore, the car can age and not have many miles on the clock. “The cars that come to the New Zealand market have not been replaced as a last resort as often happens with many of our cars, but have been traded in for a later model.” Mr Higgins said that the advent of the large number of Japanese imports and changes in Government regulations have meant that a $lO,OOO car 12 months ago is now only $6OOO and very much in the reach of most people. Mr Higgins said that in his experience the Japanese cars have proved to be excellent buys and he recommends them to all.