TAFE launches warranty scheme

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JULY 8. Tractors and Farm Equipment (TAFE), a leading manufacturer of tractors of Massey Ferguson and TAFE brands, has introduced a triple benefit scheme to provide an unprecedented level of warranty, besides personal insurance and loyalty discounts.

Under the "TAFE Triraksha" scheme, an extended three-year warranty without limit in respect of hours of use of tractors is to be provided in association with the National Insurance Company. The warranty policy also covers proprietary components against manufacturing defects. Besides, it provides a single- point clearance for even for proprietary items such as tyres and batteries at the dealership. This would benefit customers since they need not have to go to the respective OEM for replacements, according to company officials.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr V. S. Ganesan, Area Manager, and other officials of TAFE, said the combination of a three-year warranty and unlimited hours was unprecedented in the entire automobile industry, both tractors and vehicles.

The scheme was conceived as a follow-up to the TAFE Krishi Ratna scheme introduced two years ago under which the company's customers were recognised with awards for their skills in the use of farm equipment. Till now, TAFE gave warranty of 12 months up to 1,200 hours of use.

The second benefit under the Triraksha scheme, to be operationalised within the next two weeks, is the grant of a Farmers Welfare Insurance Policy from National Insurance, which provided free cover for up to Rs. 1 lakh for one year against all kinds of personal accidents, including road accidents and snake bites. To get the benefit of the policy in the second and third year, an annual premium of Rs. 142 would have to be paid.

The third benefit under the scheme was called "gateway to gains", whereby customers would be eligible to earn points for every subsequent transaction they made at a dealership. Customers were expected to earn substantial points which could be redeemed for purchase of tractors parts or implements.

All new customers as also those who had bought tractors from TAFE in the previous ten months from the date of launch would be eligible for the Triraksha scheme, to be serviced by the Coimbatore branch of National Insurance, officials said.

TAFE has manufacturing facilities at Sembium in the city, besides Doddaballapur in Karnataka and Vadipatti (Madurai district) in Tamil Nadu and makes tractors mainly in the 25 to 75 hp range which command a substantial market share in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. An ISO certificate holder, TAFE, the flagship of the Amalgamations Group including Simpson & Co, expects to weather the present overcapacity and downturn in the fortunes of the industry, with its innovative new scheme aimed at customer delight.

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Section  : Business
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