Why won't our auto manufacturers match the foreign warranties?

[smartvoter]

When I bought a van, I agonized over it but ended up with a Kia because it had the best crash test rating (I have kids) and it has a warranty that leaves the US dealers in dust.

Why won't our dealers compete? I wanted to buy an American brand (though I realize nothing is "really" American anyway) but they made it impossible.

[tk2kewl]

1. Consumers can show up at the CEOs door more easily than going to Japan

:shrug:

[billbuckhead]

9. Actually Dodge has a slightly better crash rating and is best seller

<http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summaries/vans_front_c.htm>

[dsc]

2. My dad has a very good warrenty on his Hyundi

but there is a catch. You have to get several expensive things done to keep the warrenty in effect. He recently paid over $200 bucks to flush out his trany at 30k miles. Not covered by warrenty. I don't have to do that to keep my Ford warrenty in force.

[Mythsaje]

3. Because they can't afford to!

Wife wanted a sporty car--we blew past the new Mustang and bought a Tiberon. 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty. And cheaper. And holds its value better.

It's a no brainer.

The new 'stang probably isn't American made anyway. Plus it's STILL a rear-wheel drive.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

12. it's STILL a rear-wheel drive car

So are BMWs, Mercedes, Bentleys, Porsches, Ferraris....

Maybe that's not a bad thing.

[Psephos]

4. KIA uses the extended warranty as a marketing fix

They had bad (and I mean BAD) quality problems when first introduced. They've gotten somewhat better, but a lot of people were burned. Hyundai does the same thing for the same reason.

Long warranties cost money. Lots of it. Compared to losing marketshare or going bankrupt, however, they can be justified as a cost of doing business. As a long-term strategy, however, they are unsustainable. The marketplace does not reward inefficiency, especially in this age of globalization.

Peace.

[smartvoter]

7. Well, the last time I bought a Ford, and they refused to

allow the purchase of an extended warranty and it was loaded with problems all through the warranty period. The mechanics could guess at the problems they were so common in the Windstar. This played a big role in our follow up van purchase.

[johnaries]

5. Because a good chunk of their profits come from replacement

parts.
Everyone who is a mechanic or knows a mechanic or who has had to buy replacement parts knows that.

[napi21]

6. How long have you had your Kia van?

Have you had any problems at all?

I thought about buying the real cheap Kia, as a throw away car. Drive it until the warranty runs out, and get rid of it. It won't be worth much, but at less than $9,000 I figured it was worth it.


Then I started checking on line for consumer references on the Kias. there were many who saaid the warranty was great, except when they took their vehicle in with a problem, the dealer didn't know how to fix it! I don't like that at all, so I crossed it off my list!

[smartvoter]

8. I have had zero problems. 2 years, 22k miles, so early still... nt

[napi21]

10. I hope that continues for you.

What I read fron the people who bought them scared me, and I decided I wasn't prepared to spend $9,00+ to take that kind of a risk.

[Eloriel]

11. Why won't they match the foreign engineering and design?

That's why I haven't owned an American auto since 1976 I think it was. I just can't stand the way they handle.

[uncle ray]

13. i don't know that the warrantees are that great

yes they look good on paper, but do they really stand behind them? about a month ago, i spent the weekend with a car magazine writer, his transportation was a long term loaner SUV from Hyundai, while in Texas, from California, the Hyundai developed a short circuit that the Hyundai dealer could not find or fix, the result being the Hyundai's computer hunting for a good ground circuit when you turned the headlights on, so it would cycle thru all the wiring circuits in the Hyundai, honking the horn, turning on the wipers, etc. all by itself. he had to drive the broken Hyundai back to california in daylight only because he could not use the lights. now keep in mind, this isn't just some "ordinary" Hyundai owner, this was a magazine writer who is supposed to write a glowing review telling how great the Hyundai SUV is! and he got NO service!