Sentry Auto Group

To all Sentry Kia customers:

In connection with our consolidation of our Medford-based Lincoln-Mercury sales, parts and service operations on to the Ford campus at 4100 and 4080 Mystic Valley Parkway, we have reached an agreement to sell the Kia franchise back to Kia Motors America.  Our last day as a Kia dealer will be Friday, February 27.

Kia prefers to have exclusive facilities for its dealers wherever possible, and given our space constraints, it would have been difficult for Sentry to accommodate all three franchises while still having sufficient space and brand separation for Ford and Lincoln-Mercury.

We also felt that our original reasons for acquiring the Kia franchise – to fill holes in the Ford lineup and to provide a lower-priced range of vehicles – were no longer relevant. We think that Ford’s current and future product lineup covers a broader range of the market, and as Kia has improved its product over the past few years, it has raised its transaction prices significantly (the $35,000 Borrego SUV being a prime example). While we wish Kia well, we think that Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury have a better plan for long-term success.

Just last month, for instance, Ford announced that it would introduce a pure battery electric vehicle, using cutting-edge lithium-ion battery technology and with a 100 mile range – in less than three years. The new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan Hybrids, now in production, were just rated by the EPA for 41 mpg city – 8 mpg higher than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Ford’s future product plan includes new vehicles in segments where Kia competes; for example, next year we will have the new Ford Fiesta in the B-size (smaller than Focus) segment, and if you believe the forecasts in the automotive press, it looks likely that we also will get the Ford C-Max that they currently have in Europe (a vehicle similar to the Rondo/Mazda5). And as far as price is concerned, as Kia has improved its product over the past few years, it also has raised its transaction prices significantly (the recently-introduced $35,000 Borrego SUV being a prime example). Both because of Kia’s additional product investment and unfavorable currency exchange, the days of customers purchasing a new Kia for $10,000 to 12,000 are largely over. On vehicles that go head to head, such as the Focus against the Spectra, the Focus is actually less expensive, and based on our sales the past few years, our customers find it more desirable.

We have been advised that Kia is actively looking for a new dealer in the market area that includes Medford, and expects to have representation soon. Any questions regarding future Kia dealership locations should be addressed to Kia’s consumer assistance center at 800-333-4KIA (4542). To find the Kia dealer closest to you, you can visit www.kia.com, or we also have made arrangements with Gervais Kia to provide priority scheduling for Sentry customers. The contact person at Gervais Kia is Al Dias 978-454-5696.

In the interim, customers should know that their Kia Motors America factory warranty remains in full force and effect and will be honored at any Kia dealer (list at www.kia.com). If a customer purchased an extended service plan on their Kia from Sentry through Easy Care, we can still perform any service that is covered by the Easy Care, and we would be happy to perform any maintenance service on a Kia that was purchased from us.

When trade-in time comes we will do our best to give you the highest-possible trade-in allowance toward a Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, or Mazda product; in the meantime, we apologize for any inconvenience and we wish you the best of luck with your Kia.