IT IS PLEASING TO SEE that major manufacturers are doing their bit to minimise the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus).
Hyundai Motor Company today launched Hyundai CARE, a warranty extension policy for its vehicles worldwide (for some reason, excluding commercial vehicles such as iLoad). The program aims to support Hyundai customers who may face difficulties in getting vehicle repairs due to restricted access to service centres during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hyundai CARE ensures that all Hyundai passenger vehicles with original warranties that expire between 1st March 2020 and 30th May 2020, will benefit from a warranty extension until 31st May 2020. More than 1.21 million Hyundai vehicles in 175 countries will be eligible for the Hyundai CARE warranty extension, including approximately 27,000 vehicles in Australia.
Hyundai’s decision comes amid a global reaction to the outbreak of COVID-19, which has caused many countries to take various precautionary measures that include closing non-essential facilities. With Hyundai CARE, the company expects to help address any concerns customers may have about being unable to visit a service centre to get warranty repairs during lockdown periods.
The well-being of Hyundai customers and employees is a high priority at the company, which is closely monitoring COVID-19 developments and complying with measures in local markets to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus.
“We appreciate that many of our customers may have limited access to vehicle servicing during these extraordinary times,” said Mr. Jun Heo, Chief Executive Officer, Hyundai Motor Company Australia. “With Hyundai CARE, we wish to set their minds at ease regarding eligibility for warranty repairs and related services in the coming months. Not only do we care about our customers’ health and safety, we aim to remove the added stress where customers are unable to have repairs completed before their vehicle’s warranty expires.”
Hyundai Motor Company Australia will contact all affected customers separately in the coming days with more details about the Hyundai CARE program.
Meanwhile, Ford Australia, too, has taken steps to protect its customers.
Ford Australia customers now have access to a new ‘Ford Pick Up and Drop Off service’, an initiative that offers customers a complimentary, convenient vehicle pick up and drop off solution when their car needs servicing or warranty repair during the COVID-19 emergency.
“The Ford Pick Up and Drop Off Service provides our service customers the reassurance they can get necessary vehicle work completed without leaving home, and the peace of mind that their vehicle is disinfected afterwards,” said Kay Hart, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand. “We’re pleased to be working with our dealers to find ways to ensure customers can continue to enjoy uninterrupted and safe services during this time.”
Removing the need for customers to physically bring their vehicles in for scheduled maintenance, the complimentary Ford Pick Up and Drop Off Service will be initially available at participating dealers until 30 June 2020, and incorporates three main elements:
- Pick up and drop off of a customer vehicle when they book in a service or warranty repair
- Disinfection of key touchpoints of the customer’s vehicle
- Wide availability of cashless payment options i.e. mobile payments.
“We’re pleased to be able to offer extra convenience and peace of mind to customers during this difficult time,” added John Cooper, Chairman of the Ford Australia National Dealer Council. “These new services build on the strict hygiene and sanitation processes we’ve built in across the network.”
The disinfection process involves thoroughly sanitising the interior and exterior surfaces of the vehicle, in particular major touch points. The process includes an alcohol-based cleaner that is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral agent, which quickly and thoroughly sanitises hard surfaces without damaging plastics, elastomers and rubbers.