This policy is similar to that of 10 years or 100,000 kilometers engine and transmission warranties offered by Hyundai and Kia Motors in the U.S. market. Henceforth, Kia’s attempt would bring about expanded warranty terms for cars sold in Korea.

Commemorating its 60th anniversary, Kia said Sunday it has expanded the warranties from five years or 100,000 kilometers to 10 years or 150,000 kilometers for Cerato models purchased between May and December this year.

Kia said that it has decided to expand the warranties in an effort to overcome poor domestic car sales and to show Kia’s quality confidence. As of now, warranties for domestic cars such as Equus, Chairman, Optima, Regal, EF Sonata, Avante XD, Magnus, Lacetti, SM5, and SM3 are five years or 100,000 kilometers and three years or 60,000 kilometers for other models.

Im Ki-sang, head of the Association for Driving Cars More than Ten Years, said that Hyundai and Kia Motors have treated domestic customers unfairly by providing warranty terms shorter than they were providing for U.S. customers with 10 years or 100,000 kilometers. Im said that warranties for not only Cerato but all cars should be expanded to 10 years or 100,000 kilometers.

(Kim Jong-ho, tellme@chosun.com )