Car companies do their best to provide as much convenience as possible to customers and owners of their products. Whether it is enquiring about a new model or sending a vehicle for servicing, the more convenient it is, the better the experience of the brand.
For this reason, many companies have made their retail outlets 3S or 4S types, meaning sales, service and sale of spare parts are all at one location. ‘4S’ includes additional services such as accident repairs and refinishing. It is the norm these days and businessmen who wish to become dealers must be willing to make the big investments to build such facilities.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has followed this policy and can now say that virtually all its authorised dealerships in the country are now either 3S or 4S outlets, with the exception of one which is 2S (service and spares). There are currently 17 Volkswagen dealerships and one service partner, strategically located in key regions to provide customers with sales and aftersales services.
All dealer groups are equipped with the expertise, personnel and equipment to maintain Volkswagen models. In addition, VPCM is continuously working with its dealer partners to enhance customer satisfaction by providing professional, attentive, and top-level services. These efforts are evident in the Car.Advisor ratings given by customers. Car.Advisor is an independent third-party platform that manages customer satisfaction for the Volkswagen brand.
Volkswagen Malaysia has achieved an average 4.93/5 star for its sales experience on Car.Advisor, whilst aftersales services received 4.76/5 star (these annual results are as of April 2022). Ratings and reviews for each dealership are transparently shown on the website and accessible by the public.
Providing 3S and 4S outlets that offer the full range of services at one location is part of the company’s Volkswagen Cares initiative to enhance the ownership experience for customers. According to Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM, a smooth and memorable ownership experience is important. “Customer service makes all the difference because it elevates the ownership experience. Now with a strong network of 3S and 4S centres, we are providing convenience for Volkswagen owners from around the country. We are also practising transparency with our customer satisfaction because ratings and reviews are available on the Car.Advisor website, and this pushes us and our dealer partners to continue improving our offerings too,” he said.
This month is a good time if you’re shopping for a new car this month as some companies are offering special deals that can save money. One of them is Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) which is giving another RM1,000 off for all new Volkswagen models booked through authorised dealers from today till December 7, 2020.
This offer is valid for bookings made at all Volkswagen dealerships nationwide or if you prefer to do so from the comfort of your home, you can use the eShowoom. This online facility has a Vehicle Configurator so you can be more specific about your requirements with the vehicle you want to buy.
The Volkswagen range in Malaysia currently consists of the Vento, Golf, Passat, Tiguan and Arteon. Customers enjoy a 5-year warranty (unlimited mileage), 3 years of free scheduled maintenance and complimentary Roadside Assistance for the first 5 years.
Milestone number for mobile app
Two years after its launch, the Volkswagen Cares mobile app has reached the milestone achievement of 30,000 downloads and members. The app is part of the Volkswagen Cares aftersales initiative to provide the best for Volkswagen owners in the country.
A completely local initiative, the Volkswagen Cares app was developed and is managed locally for the Malaysian market. It is an essential tool for owners who can stay in touch with VPCM and its dealers easily.
Improving overall ownership experience
“The app was created to make our services more accessible to our customers, and further improve their overall ownership experience. The convenience of accessing the Volkswagen world via mobile app is offered in different Volkswagen markets around the world, and what we are also delighted to note is that our app has seen an unparalleled take-up rate compared to other markets managed by the Porsche Holdings Group,” said Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM, adding that a revamp in 2021 will see enhancements being made to the app.
Free vouchers for service and service package vouchers are offered through the app. Those with vehicles five years and older under the Volkswagen Care Plus programme may also view and access their benefits through the app. Roadside assistance is also available via the app.
Non-Volkswagen owners can also use the mobile app at no charge. They can find out about sales offers, view videos and receive sales and event updates. It is available for IOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play Store.
To show appreciation to the nation’s frontliners in the War against COVID-19, Volkswagen Passengers Cars Malaysia (VPCM) has updated its ‘Welcome Back’ aftersales campaign announced earlier. The frontliners refer to the government hospitals doctors, nurses and administrators, personnel of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and Malaysian Armed Forces as well as RELA and Malaysia Civil Defense (Angkatan Pertahanan Awam).
For this brave and dedicated group of Malaysians, there are additional benefits if they are Volkswagen owners. The benefits are a small token of appreciation to ease their burden and offer peace of mind.
The additional benefits include priority booking, complimentary car sanitization and a 10% discount off the total bill (terms and conditions apply). Volkswagen owners who are frontliners are required to indicate their respective occupational areas when registering online, and a Volkswagen representative will be in touch for verification.
Once verified, the additional benefits will be credited into their Volkswagen Cares App wallet and will be ready to be used for their pre-booked appointment. The appointment must be made within 30 days after the Movement Control Order is lifted.
The ‘Welcome Back’ campaign, announced earlier, offer Volkswagen owners a gift and an additional RM50 engine oil voucher (for owners not redeeming their free maintenance service and non-Volkswagen Cares Plus members).
To register and book an appointment, visit www.volkswagen.com.my where the Volkswagen Cares mobile app can be downloaded to enjoy the benefits.
Modern engines with more advanced engineering and technology run more efficiently, developing higher power outputs while more advanced manufacturing processes have reduced tolerances, improving efficiency and durability.
However, regardless of all the advancements in technology, the internal combustion process that has been used since the motorcar was invented still creates a by-product that affects operating efficiency. This is the formation of carbon deposits that build up inside the engine, especially the areas where fuel and air come in.
The companies that formulate fuels have tried their best to address this issue with additives that control deposits. Disassembling the engine to do a decarbonizing job is another solution but it is time-consuming. So over time, the deposits accumulate and performance starts to drop with fuel consumption increasing and motoring costs start to go up. As most engines now use fuel injectors, the deposits can also prevent maximum fuel injection and with fuel flow interrupted, idling will be rough.
Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia offers a solution that can remove those carbon deposits quickly, safely and without weakening the metal parts. It’s called Walnut Granulate Blasting and is a method that is approved by Volkswagen AG.
Effective and environment-friendly
As the name suggests, walnuts are involved – yes, the same walnuts that have health benefits can also help keep your engine in good health. As they are blasted against the metal parts in the fuel intake areas of the engine (eg the valves and ports), the carbon deposits are removed. It’s far more effective than solutions that use fluids which take some time as the chemicals have to dissolve the deposits. Furthermore, since chemicals are not used, the process is environment-friendly and when the walnuts are disposed, they are biodegradeable.
Walnut Granulate Blasting actually began in the 1960s when it was developed for the US Navy to remove old paint without stripping the protective coating underneath. In later years, it was found to have other applications where deposit removal was required but without causing damage to metal parts.
Walnuts are a good media because they have a certain abrasive quality but at the same time will not cause damage to the metal parts since they are softer than metal. They remove the deposits like sandpaper would but do not scratch or scrape away any metal as they are organic in nature.
Walnut Granulate Blasting is done with a machine that blasts the walnuts into the intake areas of the engine. The pressure is very high but controlled to ensure that damage is not caused. There is no necessity to change the engine oil or oil filter (unless required at the time) as there is no dust or other residue that is generated during the blasting.
Available from RM515
The Walnut Granulate Blasting service is available at all authorized Volkswagen service centres in Malaysia from RM515 (depending on the engine size and type). It is recommended to be done every 45,000 kms and as it is fully approved by Volkswagen AG, there will be no effect on the factory warranty if it is still in effect.
Additionally, to complement the Walnut Granulate Blasting service, VPCM recommends a dose of Volkswagen Genuine Fuel Additives. These additives enhance the efficiency and quality of fuels used. The VW Fuel Additive also helps clean other areas of the fuel delivery system and provides protection against corrosion and pre-mature wearing. This allows the engine can perform at an optimum level.
Volkswagen Cares
“We are continuously looking for ways to improve our services and offerings to our customers under the Volkswagen Cares brand promise to provide value-added and quality services. Walnut Granulate Blasting is a cost-effective service which we have introduced that we believe will help to maintain the driving pleasure of our Volkswagen vehicles as well as reduce motoring costs,” says Erik Winter, Managing Director of Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia.
To know more about the Walnut Granulate Blasting service, please click here. Information on Volkswagen products and services in Malaysia can also be found at www.volkswagen.com.my.
In Malaysia, as in most countries, it is a legal requirement to have a vehicle registered and roadtax paid annually plus there must be insurance coverage, in order to drive on public roads. Those with very old vehicles may opt to save on insurance premiums by buying cheaper third-party coverage, which pays compensation only to other parties in the event of an accident. They will not be able to make claims for damage to their own vehicle.
For those with relatively new vehicles, comprehensive insurance coverage is usually chosen. In fact, if the vehicle is under a H-P loan, it is a must as the bank needs to be assured it will be compensated if the vehicle is stolen or written-off in an accident. This covers not only third-party compensation but also provides for compensation for loss of the vehicle or repair costs to restore it after an accident.
Of course, just like other types of insurance (health, life, house, etc), you buy insurance hoping that you never have to call up the insurance company to make a claim. But, apart from being a mandatory requirement for vehicles, it gives peace of mind that you are ‘covered’. Should you one day have an accident or the vehicle is stolen, you will be so glad that there is compensation for the loss and you don’t have to pay yourself.
Exclusively for Volkswagen owners
Generally, comprehensive insurance policies for motor vehicles offer similar benefits which focus mainly on compensation in the event of loss or damage. However, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) believes that its customers deserve more and working with a group of leading insurance companies, it has formulated the Volkswagen Insurance Plan (VIP) exclusively for Volkswagen owners.
VIP is just one of the elements in its Volkswagen Cares commitment to give the best to every customer. Whether you are owning a Volkswagen for the first time or have one which has been a trusted member of the family for years, VIP is available with its enhanced benefits that go beyond just compensation. VIP is available only from authorized Volkswagen dealers in Malaysia and the insurance policy can be purchased at any time.
Should the vehicle be disabled or seriously damaged due to an accident, having VIP ensures that reliable and authorized towing services are used. The assistance to call the towing service will be handled by the VIP 24-hour Roadside Assistance and the vehicle will be transported to the nearest authorized Volkswagen service centre. Such assistance would prove valuable especially if there is an accident and stress levels are high. Just call the toll-free number 1-800-88-2389 and help will be on its way.
Why get VIP?
The value of VIP will also be demonstrated when a claim has to be made. Those who have had to make such claims themselves know that the process can be time-consuming and even frustrating in some cases. Apart from submitting the claim, there is a need to wait for the adjuster to come and assess the damage and decide on the cost the insurance company is willing to cover.
VIP takes all that away for claims below RM30,000 because the claim will be prioritized the moment the vehicle enters the service centre. The Volkswagen staff, who are familiar with the process, will assist in all aspects and obtain approval to start repairs as fast as possible. In fact, the owner is unlikely to have to personally be involved other than to provide the required documents, sign on the Claim Form and receive updates on the repair work. It’s as good as being a VIP (Very Important Person)!
Extra benefits
Some insurance companies impose what is known as a ‘betterment charges’. This can run to thousands of ringgit because the insurance industry sees repairs which use brand new parts as improving the condition of the car in relation to its actual age. This means that if a 10-year old car has new headlights installed because the old ones were completely destroyed, the ‘age’ of the car in that area differs. For this, the insurance company will impose the betterment charge which sometimes catches owners by surprise.
Volkswagen owners who have VIP do not have to worry about this charge because it is waived for vehicles up to 10 years old. They will not have to pay anything extra for brand new genuine parts as required for the repairs. Everything related to restoring their vehicle to proper running condition will be done by certified technicians with materials that meet Volkswagen AG’s high standards. It is important to note that because it is an authorized service centre, only Genuine Parts will be used to repair your vehicle.
The premiums for VIP will be in accordance with prevailing industry levels. At this time, Allianz General Insurance Berhad and Etiqa General Takaful Berhad are the partner panel insurers collaborating with VPCM to offer the Volkswagen Insurance Plan.
“With VIP, all Volkswagen owners regardless of model, can enjoy quality services and roadside assistance at the best value under a comprehensive plan catered exclusively just for them,” says Erik Winter, Managing Director of VPCM. “Our owners are at the core of everything we do and providing this added service to them at our dealerships also ensures that the entire process is streamlined and more convenient, making our Volkswagen dealerships a one-stop centre for customer convenience and peace of mind.”
Sempena pesta Volkswagen Festival 2018 yang akan berlangsung hujung minggu ini dari 12 hingga 14 Oktober 2018, Volkswagen Passenger Cars Malaysia (VPCM) telah melancarkan satu siri edisi terhad JOIN khusus kepada mereka yang inginkan sesuatu yang lebih gah dan menyerlah. (more…)