If you could get cheaper dealer backed maintenance service on your new vehicle, would you be interested? Mazda is hoping you do with their new Mazda Total Advantage program. The plan offers you the chance when you buy a new or certified used Mazdas to get discounts on planed maintenance services if you pay up front.
The hope is that when you buy say a new 2011 Mazda Tribute, or purchase a certified used Mazda 3, that by offering you a set, discounted price on planned factory-scheduled maintenance, you'll be more likely to hold onto your Mazda longer.
Now it's unlikely that will raise sales the way new Mazda incentives and rebates would, and it is not likely to drive you to the Mazda dealer locator to rush to the nearest dealership.
But if I was considering a 2011 Mazda Tribute, or Mazda 6, knew I kept my vehicles for multiple years, and valued the knowledge that my vehicle service was handled direct by the dealer, then the idea is tempting. Drive to my Mazda of Buffalo dealer and know I would be getting a competitive price for dealer cost?
Dealerships offering maintenance plans aren't exactly new, but a prepaid plan at a significant discount is. By itself it hardly makes any car the best new car deals, but it is some nice piece of mind and a complimenting incentive to Mazda rebates.
But the sharp point of this hook isn't on the new cars. No the grabber is that the Mazda Total Advantage is offered on certified used Mazdas from 2007 models till now. Shopping for affordable used cars such as a used Mazda 3? Would you feel better about it if it was factory certified and dealer serviced for the next couple years?
It is that sort of extra assurance that Mazda Buffalo, Houston, Atlanta, or San Jose dealerships will hope you come back to them for your next vehicle. An assurance built on the knowledge that you're not only buying affordable used cars, but well maintained ones at that.
And beyond that, dealers hope to develop a repertoire with their customers as they come in for routine service visits. They hope you no longer needing a Mazda dealer locator to simply find them, and become a repeat visitor when they offer their best new car deals. Mazda hopes customer retention rate goes up. The question is, are you interested?