Powertrain Warranty
Time for a quiz: What's the latest (and probably the biggest) new product in the automotive aftermarket? You can't touch, hold, see or smell it. Its presence is subtle, non-descript and won't give you trouble in tech inspections or with judges at car shows - it doesn’t even affect your fuel economy! Give up? Well, let me introduce you to the newest product available in the aftermarket – a Powertrain warranty! Yes, you CAN increase your Pony's horsepower by 175 HP and have a Powertrain warranty!!!
Some automotive companies have creatively taken on one of the biggest hurdles stopping many automotive enthusiasts from installing power adders on their new cars and trucks. Ford has caught the fever and is offering customization customers the opportunity to purchase aftermarket Powertrain and Chassis systems to improve the car's performance in terms of acceleration or handling AND have a warranty. Making warranties available the aftermarket is not a new concept for Ford Racing; however, the process is changed and if you have a Ford Dealership install the Ford Racing parts you may be eligible for a warranty.
The aftermarket and the OE have always had a respect for each other; they depend on each other, profit from each other, and together enhance the personal satisfaction a customer has with his vehicle. This unique relationship drives benefits where the customer is usually the winner as better products with more choices become more plentiful! The benefits are carried on as this new concept of offering aftermarket customer warranties expands to include select product upgrades. The Aftermarket industry has responded to the OE warranty by not only matching the coverage on the vehicle, but also extending the types of products covered. The biggest difference in this new product is that your favorite certified performance shop is able to install the parts and service your car for the warranty period. This approach is absolutely huge! Up 'til now, the OE generally looked upon the aftermarket speed shop with some level of suspicion and hesitation that the work performed was irresponsible and/or inappropriate for the product and the customer experience. Now that warranties can be offered and supported by select performance shops, more and more customer service and quality care is likely to shift from the dealership to the independent performance shops. I think this is the most exciting news I have heard in a long time!
Here's how it works in a nut shell. Companies like MRT Performance are able to configure a combination of components ranging from Centrifugal Superchargers, to Roots style supercharger to Turbochargers (yes, I did say Turbocharger!!!), to suspension upgrades, to exhaust systems and provide a warranty to protect you during the original manufacturer's warranty coverage period. This new product offering for the aftermarket is designed to help the customization customer manage the emotional concerns caused when separating from the normal factory warranty coverage (typically 3 year or 36,000 miles). Warranty terms are developing, so check with your performance shop professional to understand if the aftermarket warranty coverage of any policy type – especially an extended warranty – covers the same time period. Today, aftermarket warranties do not cover cars already beyond the initial manufacture's warranty period. For example, if your 2008 Mustang GT has 25,000 miles on it and you want to install a turbo system, you are eligible for the aftermarket powertrain warranty only until the car reaches 30,000 miles. So, this warranty is positioned to provide the most benefit to those who have a low mileage new car and want to modify their vehicle and step up the performance.
Ok, nothing is free, so how much does providing an aftermarket parts warranty cost? Each package is slightly different, but to give you a ball park answer, if MRT Performance installs a Turbonetics Turbo kit on a new 2008 Mustang GT, approximately $300 of the total project cost will be used to cover the engine and transmission through the 30,000 mile warranty period - that is, $0.01 per mile (US or Canadian) which is not bad considering fuel costs us on average $0.12 per mile!
So stop in or give us a call. We love to spend some time with our customers and discussing how to finish your fine Ford product with well engineered, high quality aftermarket products. We help you makeover your car and will show you how to maintain warranty coverage and keep your piece of mind while doing so! Happy Customizing!!!
- Scott Hoag
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