It was in 2013 when Mazda Philippines launched the Yojin3 Total Care Program – a host of after-sales service that includes free preventive maintenance services for up to three years. It’s actually a solid way to go beyond customer expectations; it’s like offering dessert for free, an added value for Mazda customers even after driving out of the showrooms with a huge grin.
Needless to say, the free PMS can save owners tens of thousands of pesos when purchasing each Mazda vehicle, with the amount of savings depending on the vehicle type. If you think about it, the Japanese brand has been handing out hefty discounts since 2013 – and that isn’t changing just yet.
Just recently, Mazda Philippines announces that it’s extending the free PMS to five years, dropping the Yojin3 monicker in the process. It was a bold move and one that undercuts other automakers in the country that start to offer the same after-sales service. It’s an industry first, and it covers every Mazda vehicle sold from April 2020 onwards. Yes, if you’ve purchased one amid the pandemic, Mazda makes sure that you’re covered.
Of note, the free 5-year service plan differs from your standard 3-year warranty. The warranty covers faulty parts during the set period, while the service plan covers the following: highest-grade Shell fully synthetic lubricant, all scheduled replacement parts, and labor costs. This means if you’re a Mazda owner who wishes to avail the service, all you have to do is to schedule the preventive maintenance service at a Mazda dealership, leave your car, and not worry about spending a single centavo.
With a 6-month or 10,000-kilometer interval that spans up to five years or 100,000 kilometers, projected savings range from P90,000 to P150,000 depending on the model. That’s a pretty sweet deal.
With car brands throwing in discounts up front when you buy their car, Mazda chose a different route by providing discounts that you’ll actually use within the ownership period.
Now, should this free 5-year service plan sway the car buyers into considering a Mazda? When this question was thrown to Mazda Philippines CEO and President Steven Tan during the press briefing, he gave an interesting answer.
Tan said that the longer free service plan can add value to their vehicles but that isn’t the main selling factor of cars. I totally agree. In a real-world scenario, a good car will always trump others that offer perks and gimmicks. It’s always about the car itself.
And that’s the defining moment – for me, at least. I have yet to see a Mazda vehicle that isn’t good. Despite the general notion of smaller cabin size than its segment rivals, Mazda vehicles – from the 2 to the CX-9 – transcend beyond segment standards. And despite being pricier than their counterparts, Mazda cars have always been an attractive buy just for the merit of being great.
It’s a subtle humble brag from Mr. Tan, really. Not intentional, I presume, but one that’s welcome and backed up by a range of great cars.
Now, the real question is, can the new free 5-year service plan sway car buyers into buying a Mazda? That remains to be seen. As for myself, you can already judge that by the tone of this story.
