The new five-year warranty will apply to all Kia models including the Rio, Cerato and Magentis passenger cars; the class-leading Carnival and Grand Carnival people-movers; and the Sportage and Sorento SUVs.

From 1st January, 2008, all Kia cars and SUVs sold for private use will be covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. The forthcoming K2900 light truck, as well as any Kia cars or SUVs sold for non-private use, will be offered with a five-year/130,000 kilometre warranty.

"The quality and reliability of Kia vehicles has been rapidly improving in recent years, matching the company's rapid growth and its recognition in 2006 as the 14th largest global automaker," according to Peter Nochar, Chief Operating Officer at Kia Motors Australia, when making the warranty announcement at the 2008 Brisbane Motor Show.

"Indeed, the 2007 Initial Quality Survey by highly-regarded research firm JD Power and Associates in the USA showed Kia above the industry average ranking and that Kia had out-performed some more highly recognised brands.

"It is the independent assessment of Kia quality and reliability such as this that gives us the confidence to offer a five-year factory warranty on all new Kia vehicles sold since the beginning of 2008."

Kia's warranty is now better than most brands in Australia and the remaining warranty is fully transferable to a new owner should the vehicle be sold, further enhancing its value."

The new five-year, unlimited kilometre factory warranty will bring added peace of mind to private owners who typically keep their vehicles longer than three years. It will boost Kia residual values and strengthen the market for used Kia vehicles.

All Kia approved parts and accessories fitted prior to, or at the time of, delivery of a new Kia vehicle will be covered by the same warranty applying to that vehicle.