SCD American Vehicles extends its warranty

A Brisbane-based importer and converter of American utes and performance cars is extending its warranty provisions in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic.

SCD American Vehicles, based in Brendale, specialises in importing RAM Trucks, the Nissan Titan and Dodge Challenger and Charger models, including the record-breaking Dodge Demon.

Not to be confused with American Special Vehicles, the large-scale distributor/remanufacturer of RAM Trucks Australia, SCD was the first Australian outfit to sell the new-generation DT-series RAM 1500, 2500 and 3500 that was first launched in the US in 2018 but is yet to be released here by ASV.

SCD has in fact imported, converted and sold about 200 examples of the new RAM pick-up, split 50/50 between 1500 and 2500/3500 models, since mid-2019.

It has dealers in Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide, and  pricing starts at about $105,000 for the RAM 1500 with 5.7-litre HEMI V8. A 3.0-litre V6 EcoDiesel engine is also available, along with Limited, Longhorn, Laramie, Rebel, Sport and SXT trim levels.

Previously, all SCD models imported and remanufactured to right-hand drive in Australia were backed by a three-year/100,000km warranty – just like ASV, which calls itself Australia’s only factory-authorised importer and distributor of RAM Trucks.

However, SCD, which is one of just two Australian companies with low-volume Australian Design Rule compliance for the latest RAM Trucks, today announced a three-month warranty extension.

“SCD is extending their warranty for all current vehicles and new purchases due to the Coronavirus situation,” said the company on its Facebook page today.

“Because of the world-wide pandemic our grey nomad clients aren’t getting to use their tow rigs and we also don’t want customers to have to rush in for warranty issues if their warranty is about to expire.

“Our reputation is built on phenomenal customer service so this was an easy decision. Extending our Factory Warranty is market leading and we hope we inspire other manufacturers to follow our lead.”

Furthermore, SCD says it could extend its new warranty provisions further depending on the duration of the Coronavirus impacts in Australia.

“If the situation continues then we will reassess our warranty again depending on the situation,” an SCD spokesman told carsales.

The company says the warranty extension will allow owners to delay any necessary warranty work until after the COVID-19 lockdown ends and normality resumes. It also quietly hopes the incentive will boost already strong demand.

SCD employs about 50 people at its Queensland headquarters, ‘remanufacturing’ up to six vehicles to right-hand drive each week, in a process that takes about a week from start to finish.