Kia announced that it offers a 7-year warranty for the 2008 Kia Sportage made in Europe. The 2008 Kia Sportage is manufactured at the in Zilina facility in Slovakia and now has the 'best' new vehicle warranty ever offered, by any manufacturer, on cars marketed in Europe.
KIA Press Release:
7-Year warranty for new Kia Sportage made in Europe
Revolutionary and ‘Best-in-Europe’ warranty is free and transferable to subsequent owners
Kia has announced that all new 2008-model Kia Sportage
compact SUVs manufactured at its facility in Zilina (Slovakia) will be backed by the ‘best’ new vehicle warranty ever offered, by any manufacturer, on cars marketed in Europe.
Every Kia Sportage marketed by Kia Motors Europe will benefit from a 7-year/150,000 kilometre new car warranty, similar to the warranty that comes with every Kia cee’d. The 2008 Kia Sportage is the first-ever SUV to be offered with such a comprehensive warranty, which will be supplied free and is transferable to subsequent owners – provided the vehicle is regularly maintained in
accordance with the servicing schedule.
“Kia has taken the bold step of introducing a revolutionary warranty for the new 2008-model Sportage which will once again demonstrate to consumers in Europe our brand’s ‘Power to Surprise’ and also to delight,” enthused Mr Jean-Charles Lievens, Senior Vice President Kia Motors Europe.
“Thanks to the high quality of vehicles coming from our new facility in Slovakia, Kia is delighted to underline its commitment to delivering maximum customer satisfaction,
to-gether with lowered costs of vehicle ownership and better residual values.
“We view this warranty as a corporate statement and an important long-term customer rela-tions measure. The 7-Year warranty is an endorsement of Kia’s three core brand values – quality, trustworthy, dynamic,” added SVP Lievens.
The extension of the Sportage warranty, as of November 1, 2007 – from the 3-Year/Unlimited
kilometre cover provided on the previous model – has been made possible by the improved manufacturing processes at Kia’s Zilina plant and the resulting higher build quality, since production of the new 2008-model Sportage began there in August 2007.
Cover back-dated to new Sportage models made since August 2007 in Slovakia
Reflecting the enhanced quality of the latest Sportage, Kia is also making the new warranty ‘retroactive’ so that customers who have already purchased a new 2008-model Sportage, made in Europe, will also benefit from the 7-Year/150,000 kilometre cover. Thanks to the unique Rotation Dipping Painting process at the
Zilina plant, which rotates each bodyshell through a forward somersault while immersed in the electro-plating tank, all 2008 Kia Sportage vehicles will also be covered by a new 10-Year anti-corrosion warranty.
Improved build-quality, comfort, refinement and towing for 2008 Sportage
The 2008-model Kia Sportage SUV is little changed on the outside, but features exterior enhancements that include a re-styled front grille, black bezel headlamps, enlarged door mirrors, new-style alloy wheels, a broader range of paint finishes and body-colour bumpers for all models.
“Since its launch in Europe during 2004, the Sportage has attracted more than 100,000 buy-ers and has played a key role in raising public awareness of the Kia brand across the broad-est spread of European consumers,” commented Jean-Charles Lievens. “Now made in Europe, the new 2008 Kia Sportage retains all the popular attributes of the original model and offers customers an even better drive in greater comfort and refinement.”
Technical improvements introduced simultaneously with manufacturing the 2008 Sportage in Europe begin with the power steering, which is re-tuned to be a little more direct. Sixteen inch diameter alloy wheels with 215/65 R16 tyres are standard, the suspension dampers are stiffer for improved on-road handling and body roll has been reduced. Larger, 300 mm diameter front brakes now help to stop the Sportage sooner and place the Kia among the best-in-class for retardation.
