From April 1 new Suzuki cars will have eight years’ cover, up from three at present.

ESTABLISHED small car specialist Suzuki is moving to close down one perceived weakness it had in comparison to ambitious Chinese newcomer brands elbowing in with like-priced fare.

Powerful new car warranties have become a top tool being used by the fresh entry marques out of the world’s largest market as they seek to establish market presence against established performers.

Suzuki is zealous in guarding its market position, which left it as the fifth most popular car make last year, and is moving to address any perception of weakness in comparison.

Yesterday the Wanganui-based maker announced the cover on all new product it sells will rise from the existing three years’, 100,000 kilometres’ coverage to eight years, 160,000kms.

This is effective from April 1 and is not retrospective, though it is transferable.

Suzuki believes it’s cover is the longest by time among mainstream Japanese brands in New Zealand.

Some Chinese brands retain potential advantage, in that while their time provisions are generally a year shorter, they have unlimited kilometre coverage. Chery and GWM are in that category.

Until now, Mitsubishi has historically delivered the strongest warranty cover, but it takes a different tack in that it gives longer cover to some specific aspects than others. While powertrains have 10 years/160,000km, the vehicle package is five years or 130,000km.

Market leader Toyota is still where Suzuki is moving from, with three years/100,000km as the base cover, but will sell extended cover.

Ford and Tesla have a five-year, unlimited-kilometre cover; Honda has three years’/unlimited, Kia has five years and 150,000km for petrol and electric vehicles, and seven years for hybrids, Hyundai has three years and 100,000km, but like Toyota offers a cost-extra extended period product.

Suzuki’s announcement came at the media event for its next product here, also its first electric and the most expensive car it has sold in NZ.

Brand chief executive Gary Collins said the cover period also stands for the 61kWh lithium ion battery in the e-Vitara; as it does for the much smaller batteries in its hybrids.

In some other countries, the e-Vitara has a service-activated warranty structure that can extend up to 10 years and 160,000km.

As per normal practice, the Suzuki NZ warranty is conditional on servicing the vehicle at authorised Suzuki dealers and requires adherence to the make’s recommended service schedule. A part of the cover comes five years of AA roadside assistance with new vehicles.

Collins is confident longer warranty will boost resale values and give buyers greater confidence in its lineup, particularly as it expands into electrified vehicles.