QJMOTOR details Australian aftersales operations
QJMOTOR Australia has given further details about the owner-support side of its impending market entry, confirming a three-year, unlimited kilometer factory warranty and a dedicated local aftersales operation ahead of its official October launch.
As we noted when QJMOTOR and VOGE Australian launch plans were announced for the first timeAttractive pricing and a comprehensive specification sheet may help an unfamiliar brand gain attention, but parts availability, warranty administration and dealer support will play an equally important role in building lasting trust.
QJMOTOR Australia now says a three-year, unlimited kilometer factory warranty will apply to every new QJMOTOR motorcycle sold in Australia and New Zealand.
The warranty will be supported by an Australian aftersales operation which is responsible for the supply of genuine parts, warranty administration and technical support for the developing dealer network.
No further details regarding warranty exclusions, servicing requirements or other terms were included in this announcement, with full terms expected to be available closer to launch.
Main focus on parts availability
QJMOTOR Australia managing director Clint Davis said the warranty was just one component of the ownership proposition being established before the first motorcycles reached local dealerships.
“Launching with a three-year warranty is an important part of our ownership proposition, but it is only one part of the experience,” Davis said.
“We are investing equally heavily in our Australian parts operation, aftersales team and the technology that powers it because of the confidence it provides owners.
“They know they will be supported throughout their ownership journey.”
A national genuine-parts distribution operation is being established along with the dealer network, supported by an enterprise resource planning platform, aimed at providing dealers live visibility of motorcycle and parts inventory.
The system will also provide estimated arrival dates for backordered components and allow dealers to place and track orders through a centralized platform.
That back-end technology may be largely invisible to owners, but it can make a huge difference to its effectiveness when the motorcycle needs routine servicing, replacement bodywork or a low-stock component.
Accurate inventory information and realistic backorder arrival dates should allow dealers to give more useful answers to customers than simply advising them that a part has been ordered and there is no clear indication of when it will arrive.
Of course, the effectiveness of the operation will ultimately be judged when the motorcycles are on the road and owners begin to rely on it. Availability of regular service components, dealing with unexpected backorders and the speed with which warranty claims are evaluated will provide the real test.
Steve Wall appointed to lead parts operations
Steve Wall has been appointed QJMOTOR Australia Aftersales Manager – Parts and Accessories.
Wall has over 15 years of experience in motorcycle parts, servicing and workshop operations and will lead the national parts and accessories operation, working with QJMOTOR dealers.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that dealers have the genuine parts, accessories and resources they need to take care of their customers,” Wall said.
“When a customer brings his motorcycle in for routine service or repair, the last thing anyone wants is unnecessary delays waiting for parts.
“We are building a strong Australian aftersales operation from day one to help dealers resolve any issues quickly and keep riders on the road.”
The decision to establish parts, warranty and technical-support operations well before the first retail delivery makes sense.
Australian riders have seen many motorcycle brands come up with ambitious model plans, only to have confidence diminished due to limited dealer coverage, slow parts supplies or uncertainty around long-term product support.
The three-year, unlimited kilometer warranty gives QJMOTOR a credible starting position, but the practical delivery of that support will matter more than the headline warranty period alone.
Nine QJMOTOR models arriving from October
QJMOTOR is set to launch nine motorcycles in Australia from October.
The initial QJMOTOR line-up will include sportsbike, roadster, cruiser and adventure categories, including LAMS-approved and unrestricted models.
Headline models are expected to include the fully faired SRK 800 RR, the learner-approved SRV 600 V2 cruiser and the SRT 450 RX adventure bike.
QJMOTOR Australia says further announcements covering individual models, Australian exclusivity, dealer appointments and launch activities will be made before the start of October.
