How Kia Business is making life simple for fleet managers
Kia’s Business Service Promise is a one-size-fits-all service, maintenance and Mobility solution for company cars
Being a fleet manager is no easy task. Keeping your company cars (and the people who use them) on the road as much as possible – whether they’re working hard for your business or enjoying the benefits a car offers – is paramount. But, let’s face it, running any size of fleet comes with plenty of challenges that mean it’s never a totally smooth process.
With company cars racking up thousands of hard-working miles, it’s only a matter of time before they need to take time out for annual servicing or routine maintenance. Additionally, there’s the unexpected to consider, whether caused by accident or breakdown. With vehicle downtime estimated to cost up to £700 per day*, no-one wants to add to the expense of having a vehicle off the road. Equally, there’s the administrative hassle to consider, whether it’s for the driver or an already beleaguered fleet manager.
That’s where Kia Business Service Promise comes in. Whatever the size and scale of your business, this brand-new fleet-focused aftersales product from Kia is an unwavering commitment to all fleet managers. The service is a one-stop solution that answers any and all problems, while helping to take the pressure off running company cars.
Available through Kia’s extensive network of 192 UK dealers, the Kia Business Service Promise will help you keep your company car drivers on the road (or put them back) as quickly as possible – all using genuine Kia-approved parts, fitted by expert dedicated Kia specialist technicians, all at the most cost-effective price.
*Learn more about Kia Business Service Promise*
*All the big benefits of dealer support for fleets*
The question of whether to use a franchised dealer or an independent provider for servicing your company cars is a decision that faces every fleet manager.
At a time when every firm faces growing financial pressures, it’s sometimes perceived that using an independent provider for vehicle servicing, maintenance and repair can be a cheaper path than going to a franchised dealer. As a result, it can be tempting to leave the safe haven of manufacturer support in fear of big bills – especially after manufacturer warranties have expired. But that’s missing the bigger picture.
“Because there’s a fear that main dealer servicing is more expensive or mainly focused on retail customers, fleets traditionally miss out on all the benefits,” says John Hargreaves, Kia UK’s General Manager for Fleet and Remarketing. “That means fleets might miss out on Kia-trained service technicians, genuine parts and maximum residual values.”
Kia’s Business Service Promise is the response to that dilemma, delivering the specialised technical expertise and genuine parts you expect from a large dealer group with the advantageous savings you traditionally expect from smaller independent chains. Win, win.
*Support wherever you are*
In the last 30 years, Kia has come a long way: now boasting an extensive range of acclaimed models that includes the multi award-winning all-electric Kia EV6 – recipient of the highly coveted 2022 What Car? Car of the Year trophy and a four-and-a-half star rating from Autocar’s road-test team – as well as the ever-popular Kia Sportage and all-new Niro range.
As a result, Kia is currently the fifth best-selling brand in the UK and the number two brand for fleet sales (at end November 2022) – with an impressive 7.9 per cent market share, and over of 57,000 fleet vehicles sold year-to-date.Through the Kia Business Service Promise, you and your company car drivers get access to each and every one of Kia’s 192 dealers – all delivering the quality customer-focused care you’d expect. That means you’ve got support wherever you are, even if trouble strikes unexpectedly.
*Superior quality parts and support*
Kia’s cars are also renowned for their reliability – all coming with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard. It’s just one of many reasons why Kia placed seventh on the people-powered What Car? Reliability Survey with a score of 95.5 per cent.
As a fleet manager looking to minimise downtime and maximise your residuals, you obviously want to maintain that record. That’s why getting your company cars serviced, maintained, and repaired directly with Kia, your business continues to get the assurance of quality Kia manufacturer-approved parts, fitted by specialist Kia-trained technicians who know your vehicle inside out.
Consequently, you get the confidence-inspiring guarantee that your cars maintain their all-important warranty and on-the-road reliability. That’s a fleet firing on all cylinders (and batteries, of course).
*Doesn’t cost the earth*
So, how much does this cost? With services at Business Service Promise rates, fixed prices on select repairs and flexible Kia Business Care service plans (coming in early 2023), the answer is significantly less than you think.Any qualifying Kia fleet car can benefit from official manufacturer servicing at an ultra-competitive rate of just £49**. It doesn’t stop there. Business customers also benefit from a retail cost minus 10 per cent parts discount when taking their car in for a service, with MOTs costing just £35 and a free vehicle health check on every visit. Did we mention that fleet vehicles will also be kept up-to-date with the latest in-car software updates free of charge?*****
For jobs that take 6 minutes or less – for example, fitting fiddly wiper-blades or exterior bulbs – they’ll be done completely free of charge***. And, speaking of car components, all Kia Genuine Parts come with a welcome 2-year warranty. Look to the fine print and you’ll find there are no hidden subscription fees either. Kia Business Service Promise is automatically available to business customers for any qualifying Kia fleet car.
And there’s more good news, if your vehicle is taken off the road for a warranty issue, the Kia Business Service Promise helps you get back on the road as quickly as possible. That means less time talking, and a lot more action. Kia will endeavour to find a like-for-like replacement vehicle, fast. In the unlikely event of limited availability, they will provide support with existing car hire costs to ensure continuity of job-need vehicles****.Add all of that up, and the icing on the cake is future-proof residual values thanks to the Kia Business Service Promise and a main dealer service history, as well as the peace of mind fleet managers need to relax.
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*https://www.fleetnews.co.uk/fleet-management/britain-s-busiest-fleets-five-ways-to-reduce-vehicle-downtime** Prices exclude VAT***excluding the cost of parts like wipers and bulbs**** Hire/loan cars may not be the same model/specification or fuel type***** Software updates exclude Maps/Navigation updates