Following the announcement that current CEO / Managing Director of Chrysler South Africa, Trent Barcroft, has became CEO of Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa, and that the two companies have joined forces in new Midrand headquarters, Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa, the importer of Fiat, Fiat Professional, Alfa Romeo and Abarth brand vehicles has announced that from the 1st January this year, all Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Abarth passenger vehicles will carry a 3 year / 100 000 km full maintenance plan and warranty.
The reason for the move is to standardise the maintenance and warranty terms for the entire range of passenger vehicles. In the previous scheme, certain models were offered with only warranty, others with warranty and optional service plans, whilst warranty and full maintenance was retained exclusively for others. This is a move that further extends the synergies between the two companies in South Africa, following Fiat’s 58.5% share acquisition of Chrysler Group LLC internationally.
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Alfa Romeo Mito, until the 31st of December 2012, were offered with a 5-year / 150 000 km warranty, which was linked to a 6-year / 90 000 km service plan. The Fiat Punto, similarly, was offered with a 5-year / 150 000 km warranty and a 4-year / 60 000 km service plan. Whereas the Fiat 500 had the 3-year / 100 000 km warranty, but a 5-year / 90 000 km service plan. The Fiat Panda and the Linea were also offered with the 3-year / 100 000 km warranty, but only 3-year / 60 000 km service plan.
In this situation, less sounds like less to us. So we wondered if this new policy didn’t in some way short change existing Fiat and Alfa Romeo customers. Richard Sloman, Media Relations Manager for Chrysler South Africa / Fiat Group Automobiles South Africa confirmed to us that all existing Fiat and Alfa Romeo customers would have the warranties and service plans they bought with their car, before 2013, honoured. Sloman also said: “There was a lot of confusion as there was a different warranty and maintenance / service plan for every vehicle. So whilst the Alfa one does come down quite a bit, in reality it’s not so bad considering they receive a full maintenance plan instead of just a service, which only covered the very basics.”
At the dealer level, Gary Green from Gary Green-Alfa Romeo in Cape Town said: “We’re on board with the new maintenance plan and in terms of cost layout for customers we think it’ll work out even better. Commonly replaceable items at the 30 000 km service are brake pads and those weren’t covered by the service plan, but now they are under maintenance.” Green continued by saying, “These Alfa Romeo Giuliettas are built so well these days, they just don’t break anymore… so offering a 6-year time frame is no longer necessary.”
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