While electric vehicles (EVs) may be said to have less maintenance requirements compared to vehicles with combustion engines, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) – which have a powertrain comprising both an engine and electric motor – are more complex vehicles due to their electrification. They have many more electronic and electrical systems and a large battery pack.
Thus for PHEV owners, there is the extra cost (which can be high) of replacing such systems in later years. While the vehicle is still new, there is the manufacturer’s warranty to cover replacements but once it is over, then the owner will have to pay for the replacement costs.
This is where it would be a good idea to spend a bit on an extended warranty that takes over after the original warranty ends. Sime Darby Auto Selection (SDAS) offers such a warranty for the pre-owned BMW PHEV models it sells. Called +HYBRID, the programme in collaboration with Guard My Ride (GMR) and RHB Insurance, is the first in the market and only available from SDAS.
Sime Darby Auto Selection (SDAS), a unit of Sime Darby Motors, is offering an opportunity for its customers to derive income from their vehicles and also have the assurance of a guaranteed resale price at the end of a 12-month period. The programme, called ‘Fund Your Drive’, is in collaboration with TREVO, SOCAR Mobility Malaysia’s people-to-people car sharing marketplace.
The first of its kind in Malaysia, the ‘Fund Your Drive’ programme seeks to make car ownership for Malaysians more affordable and accessible. Starting from today until November 18, 2021, it offers the opportunity to purchase a reliable, refurbished vehicle from SDAS with a guaranteed resale price to SDAS within 12 months through the BuyBack option. In addition, they will also have a guaranteed income when they list their cars for rental on TREVO, which helps offset the costs of ownership such as loan repayments and maintenance fees.
Free auto servicing for 12 months
The guaranteed income from car rental, which covers at least 70% (terms and condition apply) of the monthly loan repayments, provides car owners with loan instalment support for 12 months. As part of the programme, car owners will also enjoy free auto servicing from SDAS for the 12-month period.
“This collaboration with TREVO offers a good opportunity for those who want to own an affordable car with the chance to earn extra income from it, which will also help in financing the car. Additionally, SDAS is also offering free 12-month servicing for TREVO Hosts participating in the ‘Fund Your Drive’ programme, which will provide a substantial amount of savings on car maintenance and ownership,” said Vi Thim Juan, Managing Director of SDAS.
“During this time of economic uncertainty for many, those who need to own a vehicle may be thinking twice due to the financial outlay required. Through a programme like ‘Fund Your Drive’, owners not only have a variety of reliable, pre-owned vehicles that suit their budget from SDAS to choose from, TREVO also offers them additional means to fund the expenses associated with owning a vehicle,” added Leon Foong, CEO of SOCAR Mobility Malaysia.
As an example, Mr. Foong said a TREVO host who owns a 2015 Hyundai Grand Starex can earn approximately RM850 a month if their car is booked for just 7 days in each month, while also keeping the car for personal use during the other 23 days in the month. The supplemental income is estimated to cover almost the full amount of the monthly loan instalment.
Sime Darby Motors has been building up its portfolio of automotive and automotive-related brands for many years, and today represents 31 brands in Asia and Australasia. Some 20 years ago, the Sime Darby unit tried to establish a shared approach for its brands but at that time, conditions were different and the idea was not so viable.
Today, that vision has been realised with Sime Darby Motors City in Ara Damansara, Selangor, where a number of brands are housed with sales and aftersales facilities available. Then Sime Darby Auto Selection was established to offer pre-owned vehicles, with an online channel as well.
For post-warranty vehicles
Now Sime Darby Auto Selection has also opened a multi-brand service centre, as part of the company’s strategy to offer a new aftersales service alternative, at a price point competitive with independent workshops, for post-warranty vehicles.
Located in Glenmarie, Selangor, the service centre offers owners the same quality of service provided by brand-specific authorised service centres. Utilising state-of-the-art equipment, the purpose-built facility is able to service and maintain vehicles of various brands. It has highly-trained and skilled technicians who can provide quality workmanship.
“The opening of this new after-service facility is very timely to meet the changing demands of car owners, who are always on the lookout for alternatives after their car warranty expires. With this one-stop service centre, car owners – especially those with different car brands – will enjoy the convenience of a one-stop service centre that offers high quality service, at an unrivalled price,” said Jeffrey Gan, MD for Retail & Distribution, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia.
“Customers today are more knowledgeable and aware of the changing trends in the market. With the new and innovative Sime Darby Auto Selection Service Centre, we hope to instil customer confidence so that this becomes their go-to centre for all their vehicle maintenance needs,” he added.
Various services available
Apart from basic services such as engine oil replacement, tyre alignment and balancing, air-conditioner and car disinfection service, the service centre also offers repairs, car washes and vehicle inspections.
The 4,117 square foot facility has 6 service bays and an environment for customers to wait comfortably. Those unable to personally send in their vehicles can also arrange for pick-up and delivery service. It operates 6 days a week from Monday to Saturday.
Collaboration with SpareXHub
Meanwhile, Sime Darby Motors Malaysia has also teamed up with SpareXHub to offer vehicle owners an additional avenue to purchase genuine automotive spare parts at competitive prices. The collaboration with the genuine spare parts e-commerce platform gives customers the ability to source, order and purchase original automotive spare parts of their preferred brands via a one-stop contactless platform from the comfort of their home or office.
Sime Darby Motors, with its portfolio of different brands, offers a wide range of new models across the consumer spectrum. At the same time, its various subsidiaries will have pre-owned units that customers may have traded-in, broadening its range of offerings.
Many of the pre-owned vehicles are managed by Sime Darby Auto Selection (SDAS), a unit of Sime Darby Motors which handles used vehicles. Now, SDAS has an online store to provide additional convenience to customers shopping for used vehicles.
The SDAS online store at simedarbyautoselection.com.my offers an easy way to search through the wide range of used vehicles (some of which are nearly new). There are up to 300 vehicles of multiple brands listed, and they are not limited to Sime Darby Motors’ franchise brands such as Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Land Rover, Porsche, etc.
Thoroughly inspected vehicles
Every used vehicle listed by SDAS has undergone a thorough inspection process to ensure it is in the best possible condition and quality. The website also comes with user-friendly features that enable scheduling of car inspections and appraisal appointments, service appointment and test-drive bookings, as well as the latest promotions and events.
The website will debut a ‘Spin Car’ feature which offers customers 360° interior and exterior view of vehicles, allowing customers to explore every detail of the vehicle they are interested in, from all angles.
One of the many brands in the Sime Darby Motors portfolio is Ford, which is handled by Sime Darby Auto ConneXion.
Aiming to be a trusted used car dealer
“Along with our vision to be the trusted used car dealer, the team behind Sime Darby Auto Selection strives to offer premium quality used cars and excellent after-sales services to our customers. Sime Darby Auto Selection’s online used car store caters to all our customers’ needs. Those looking to buy a used car can browse our wide selection and schedule test drives, while those selling their cars may schedule appraisal appointments,” said the MD of Sime Darby Auto Selection, Vi Thim Juan.
“By leveraging on the power of the Internet and mobile technology, we are able to provide a seamless online used car trading experience for our customers, and we hope to leverage on this capability to grow our business even further,” he added.
Additional features such as loan calculators and booking transactions to enable placement of orders at any time, without the hassle of visiting a dealership, will be introduced at the online store in the near future.
