MOTORING NEWS - Nissan South Africa has taken the confusion out of complicated motoring plans by launching Nissan Assured - one of the clearest and most comprehensive service, warranty and dealer improvement programmes in the country. 

A recent independent survey conducted by TNS Qualitative revealed 85% of South African customers only rated their detailed understanding of their plans as 2/10, with half of respondents unsure of what plans they had.

Nissan Assured not only offers six years' peace of mind with one of the best warranty and service plans on the market but also a more straightforward and easy to understand approach, backed by the commitment from Nissan South Africa and its dealer network. 

"Nissan Assured is our answer to customer vehicle ownership, service and repair needs," says Xavier Gobille, managing director of sales, marketing and aftersales. "It is a product of many hours spent listening to what our customers enjoy about owning a Nissan and their suggestions to further improve their ownership experience to create a new benchmark in customer care." 

Using the customer feedback and market research, Nissan South Africa has developed a mechanical warranty and customer care programme that is unmatched in South Africa and includes a standard warranty and service plan across a large number of its vehicles. 

"Many of the warranties available on new vehicles today have many provisions and exclusions. This makes the warranty programme difficult to understand and often dilutes the benefit to the customer. We have made the warranty as comprehensive and easy to understand as possible," says Gobille. 

The warranty covers all major mechanical components and service or repair work done at an approved Nissan dealership using genuine Nissan parts. Standard warranty exclusions on wear-and-tear parts such as shock absorbers, brake pads and linings and the clutch only apply after three years or when the first 100 000km of the warranty has expired. 

In addition to guaranteeing the mechanical integrity of every Nissan, the warranty also includes a range of roadside assistance benefits. These benefits include 24-hour roadside and towing assistance, including posting security as one waits for assistance. It also includes support if stuck with a flat battery, without fuel or even if you lock your keys in your car. 

Nissan's comprehensive service plan of three years or 90 000km was designed to work in conjunction with the vehicle warranty. Nissan customers can expect free service replacement of oils and filters, spark plugs, brake fluid and engine coolant. On specific models, items such as the timing belt, differential oil, transmission fluid and transfer fluid are also covered, as are all labour charges for the servicing and replacement of these parts. 

Nissan Assured also forms the core of a new customer service programme that has been implemented across its dealer network. The customer service programme is designed to provide a fuss-free ownership experience and includes making vehicle ownership easier to understand. 

"Our customers truly value the personal attention they receive at their dealer and we wanted to amplify that. At the core of our Nissan Assured programme are well-trained sales and service staff who are committed to resolving any problem and who are on hand to explain any part of your vehicle ownership in detail, including the new warranty and service plan. The team will even inform you of small details, such as when your licence disk expires," says Gobille. 

Nissan Assured is available immediately with a wide range of Nissan passenger, crossover, performance and light commercial vehicles. Customers who have recently purchased a Nissan will have the option of upgrading their warranty and service plan at a nominal cost. 

Nissan's new comprehensive warranty and service plan will not apply to the NV350 Impendulo taxi and GT-R supercar, both of which are covered by tailored plans. The comprehensive three year or 90 000km service plan is available as an optional extra on Nissans' range of commercial vehicles and the Nissan Micra city car. The range of commercial vehicles on which this is an option are the Nissan NP200, NP300, NV200 and Patrol Pick-Up.  

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