Holden increases warranty to five years across the range

LION brand backs products with extended guarantee.

HOLDEN aims to boost sales with a permanent five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty that also includes roadside assistance.

In the face of falling sales, the Australian brand has boosted the ownership credentials of its entire range, expanding the previous three-year/100,000km guarantee.

In March, Holden introduced a promotional seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty for the new fully imported Commodore and Equinox SUV in an bid to stimulate demand for the family cars.

The new Holden Commodore now comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.

As part of the earlier promotion Holden added a five year/unlimited kilometre warranty on all other 2017-plated models — and this coverage has now been made standard across the range.

In the first five months of 2018, sales of the Commodore are down by more than 50 per cent as Australian buyers have not warmed to the European-built model.

Holden’s sales are down across the board in 2018, with only the small Barina and Astra posting positive results.

However, Holden managing director Mark Bernhard has confidence in the brand’s product and is sweetening the deal to show potential customers that they can trust the Lion brand.

Holden recently launched the new Equinox SUV.

“Holden’s product portfolio is the best line-up and quality we’ve ever had, especially in the key growth segments of SUVs and utes,” Bernhard says. “We’ve always had confidence in our cars and this is putting money where our mouth is.

“Buying a new car is a huge financial and emotional commitment and this five-year warranty is rounding out our market-leading portfolio of care for our customers.”

Holden’s move follows Ford’s recent move to a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which matches the peace-of-mind coverage by Hyundai but falls short of Kia’s seven-year/unlimited kilometre guarantee.

The cost of ownership is becoming the new battleground for car makers looking to boost sales. Top-selling brands such as Toyota and Mazda persist with shorter warranties.