Buyers look beyond sticker price in car purchases
South African car buyers are increasingly considering the full cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on the showroom price or monthly instalment.
- Dealer News
- 12 September 2026
The excitement of buying a new car is short-lived when the realities of owning, driving and maintaining take over.
Stellantis understands that responsibility but doesn’t want the excitement to end. WePledge is the answer for peace-of-mind and ownership satisfaction for the duration of all warranties on Stellantis vehicles, says the Group.
“Whilst customers are at the heart of Stellantis, their satisfaction with their vehicles should be at the heart of their experience with us and our brands,” says Stellantis Managing Director, Mike Whitfield. “As such, we’re committing ourselves to making that experience the very best in the industry.”
WePledge puts the customer at the very centre of the ownership experience, delivering service commitments aimed at benchmarking the greatest customer satisfaction in the industry.
The customer-care promise extends across passenger cars for all seven brands, namely Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Abarth, the Jeep® brand, PEUGEOT, Citroën and OPEL and goes beyond the comprehensive 5-year/100 000 km manufacturer warranty – the first promise. Three additional promises underscore the company’s dedication to quality assurance and customer satisfaction.
The first of these guarantees mobility in a courtesy or rental vehicle for a customer whose vehicle is forced to remain at a Stellantis dealer workshop if the Original Equipment (OE) parts or diagnostics are delayed beyond 48 hours.
If a collision or major repairs are being undertaken by an approved body repairer within the warranty period, Stellantis also guarantees the customer’s mobility should the repairer be waiting for OE parts or technical assistance beyond 30 days. Any repaired vehicle will also receive a Quality Check Certificate to ensure that manufacturer standards are met.
The final promise from Stellantis is to dispatch a security detail on request for any roadside assistance situation to keep customers safe. Roadside assistance is part of the warranty on passenger vehicles 24/7.
South African car buyers are increasingly considering the full cost of ownership rather than focusing solely on the showroom price or monthly instalment.
A striking collection of Alfa Romeo vehicles, spanning immaculate classics to the latest performance models, will gather at Modderfontein Bird & Sculpture Park on Sunday 20 September for the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza.
Kia South Africa has launched an upgraded Sonet range, with more safety, technology, and comfort across the line-up, backed by a five-year warranty with no kilometre limit.
Advertisement
Advertisement
I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
A striking collection of Alfa Romeo vehicles, spanning immaculate classics to the latest performance models, will gather at Modderfontein Bird & Sculpture Park on Sunday 20 September for the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza.
Suzuki Auto South Africa has moved into its new head office and distribution centre at Longlake Logistics Park in Gauteng, marking another important milestone in the continued growth of the business in South Africa, the manufacturer claims.
South Africa’s automotive market is undergoing a notable transformation, with growing sales and rising interest in newer brands. Among them, Foton has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 7 000 vehicles sold locally within just two years of re‑entering the market.