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Kia defends Cerato 2.0

KIA SA has done every test that can be done on the KIA Cerato 2.0 Auto and has found no errors that could affect the fuel consumption of the vehicle, according to Barry Simon, Regional General Manager KIA SA. 

He was responding to a letter by a Fin24 user that said Kia does not only as reported exaggerate its fuel efficiency in the US, but also in South Africa. He claimed that his Cerato (hatch), bought at the end of July 2012, has to date achieved between 13.5-14l/100km (town driving) compared with the 7.6l/100km advertised by KIA SA.

The Fin24 user said he is currently spending almost the same amount of money on fuel than on the actual instalment: "ODO = 5 900km and money spent on fuel to date is close to R11 000".

Simon said in an emailed response to Fin24 that he correctly and purposely copied the customer in on an email to the dealer principal, John Burgess and not by mistake as the customer claimed in his letter to Fin24.

"Every test that can be done, was done on the vehicle. The electronics which are sealed, show no error report.

"The technical department of KIA SA and the Randburg service department have tested the vehicle and have found nothing wrong.

"My email to both him and John was correct and copied to him on purpose. He must go to the Ombudsman and we will abide by whatever decision is taken," said Simon.

In his response to the Fin24 user, Deon Rademeyer, Consumer Affairs Officer of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation, said the matter is between the consumer and the manufacturer and he is therefore "obliged to direct the concern to the Motor Industry Ombudsman".

The details are:

The Motor Industry Ombudsman (is Johan van Vreden).

Telephone: 012 841 2945 or 086 11 64672

Fax: 012 841 2842

Postal address: Suite 156, Private Bag X025, Lynwood Ridge, 0040 

Email: info@miosa.co.za or mi.ombudsman@netactive.co.za

Website: http://www.miosa.co.za 

Meanwhile, Fin24 has received another letter from another Fin24 user who said he is experiencing the same problem with his Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS Auto. 

"The advertised fuel consumption is nowhere near the actual fuel consumption. Town driving I get around 13 litres per 100km yet advertised at 9l/100km. Freeway driving I get actual 8.8l/100km, yet advertised at 5.6l/100km. Combined I achieve 9.5l, yet again advertised at 7.2l/100km. 

"When I bought the vehicle last year October, I was told that it could easily get 600km per tank, but the maximum mileage I get from a tank is 420km and that is when the car is far into reserve.

"My car has also been back numerous times to the dealership for tests. They found no problem. 

"The sales people as well as technical staff all agree that there is a definite issue, but nobody can solve the problem. 

"I was told the motor needs to settle in and possibly after the first service it will come right. The car now has 19 000km and still no improvement. 

"I've sent the article that states Hayundia and Kia overstated fuel consumption is the United States to the dealer. 

"After about two weeks I followed up. After another week (the dealership)  issued me with a letter stating that the fuel issues are only related to the cars sold in the United States... It's been a year now and nobody can fix the problem." 

It would be wise for the Fin24 user to contcat the Motor Industry Ombudsman (contact details above).

  - Fin24

Something on your mind? Give us your feedback on editor@fin24.com.

Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views of users published on Fin24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.

Fin24 reserves the right to obtain service providers' comments before publishing any articles or letters, and to edit any material used. Fin24 also reserves the right to edit or delete any and all user comments received.


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