QJMOTOR details Australian aftersales operation
QJMOTOR Australia has put further detail around the ownership-support side of its impending market entry, confirming a three-year, unlimited-kilometre factory warranty and a dedicated local aftersales operation ahead of its official October launch.
As we noted when the QJMOTOR and VOGE Australian launch plans were first announced, attractive pricing and an extensive specification sheet may help an unfamiliar brand attract attention, but parts availability, warranty administration and dealer support will play an equally important role in building lasting confidence.
QJMOTOR Australia now says every new QJMOTOR motorcycle sold in Australia and New Zealand will be covered by a three-year, unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.
The warranty will be supported by an Australian aftersales operation responsible for genuine parts supply, warranty administration and technical support for the developing dealer network.
No further detail regarding warranty exclusions, servicing requirements or other conditions was included in this announcement, with the complete terms expected to become available closer to launch.
Parts availability a major focus
QJMOTOR Australia Managing Director Clint Davis said the warranty was only one component of the ownership proposition being established before the first motorcycles reach local dealerships.
“Launching with a three-year warranty is an important part of our ownership proposition, but it’s only one part of the experience,” Davis said.
“We’re investing just as heavily in our Australian parts operation, aftersales team and the technology that underpins it because it gives owners confidence.
“They know they’ll be supported throughout their ownership journey.”
A national genuine-parts distribution operation is being established alongside the dealer network, supported by an Enterprise Resource Planning platform intended to give 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 centralised platform.
That back-end technology may be largely invisible to owners, but its effectiveness can make a substantial difference when a motorcycle requires routine servicing, replacement bodywork or a less commonly stocked component.
Accurate inventory information and realistic backorder arrival dates should also allow dealers to give customers more useful answers than simply advising that a part has been ordered with no clear indication of when it will arrive.
Of course, the effectiveness of the operation will ultimately be judged once motorcycles are on the road and owners begin relying on it. The availability of routine service components, the handling of unexpected backorders and the speed with which warranty claims are assessed will provide the real test.
Steve Wall appointed to lead parts operation
Steve Wall has been appointed QJMOTOR Australia’s Aftersales Manager – Parts and Accessories.
Wall brings more than 15 years of experience across motorcycle parts, servicing and workshop operations and will lead the national parts and accessories operation while working with QJMOTOR dealers.
“Our responsibility is to make sure dealers have the genuine parts, accessories and resources they need to look after their customers,” Wall said.
“When a customer brings their motorcycle in for a routine service or repair, the last thing anyone wants is unnecessary delays waiting for parts.
“We’re 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 the parts, warranty and technical-support operation before the first retail deliveries is a sensible one.
Australian riders have seen numerous motorcycle brands arrive with ambitious model plans, only for confidence to be undermined by limited dealer coverage, slow parts supply or uncertainty surrounding longer-term product support.
A three-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty provides QJMOTOR with a credible opening position, but the practical delivery of that support will matter more than the headline warranty period alone.
Nine QJMOTOR models due from October
QJMOTOR is scheduled to launch nine motorcycles in Australia from October.
The opening QJMOTOR line-up will span sportsbike, roadster, cruiser and adventure categories, with LAMS-approved and unrestricted models represented.
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 specifications, dealer appointments and launch activities will be made in the lead-up to the October introduction.
