Authorised dealer (AD)
An authorised dealer, or AD, is the official Singapore distributor for a car brand, holding the manufacturer's franchise to import, sell, and warranty new vehicles.
What it means
Authorised dealer is the counterpart to parallel import. The AD has a contractual relationship with the manufacturer, which means it sells cars built to Singapore-market specification, registers them through the official Singapore process, and issues the manufacturer's warranty on them. The AD typically also operates the brand's authorised after-sales service network, which is the default first-line servicing path while the warranty is in force. AD cars usually carry slightly higher upfront prices than equivalent parallel-import cars, partially offset by better resale value, full manufacturer warranty, and the assurance that all factory recalls and software updates are applied through the dealer network. After the warranty expires, AD owners often switch to independent specialists for cost-competitive servicing using OEM parts and brand-specific diagnostics. The AD vs PI choice at purchase shapes the early-ownership experience; the long-term ownership experience can be identical at a good independent specialist.
Why it matters in Singapore
Singapore buyers choosing between AD and PI are often looking at the same model from the same factory, with the warranty and dealer-network access being the main difference. Knowing that independent specialists like Revol Carz Garage service AD cars on the same OEM-parts basis as PI cars takes one variable out of the long-term decision.
How Revol Carz handles this
Revol Carz Garage services AD-purchased European cars on the same OEM-parts basis as PI cars, using brand-specific diagnostic tools, with no warranty implications once the original AD warranty has expired.