A special space where you can experience everything Kia has to offer has opened in Gwangju.
Kia officially launched the ‘Kia Gwangju Flagship Store’ (36, Jugbong-daero, Seo-gu, Gwangju) on the 20th (Wednesday), a one-stop complex hub that allows customers to view vehicles, take test drives, purchase cars, and receive maintenance services all in one location.
The Kia Gwangju Flagship Store is the first flagship store outside of the metropolitan area, following the openings in Gangseo, Incheon, and Bucheon.
Kia plans to provide a large-scale customer experience space over two floors, combining the existing Seo-Gwangju branch and Gwangju City Hall branch, along with enhanced future mobility experiences and differentiated purchasing and service experiences.
The Kia Gwangju Flagship Store will feature a variety of digital-based convenience services and brand experience content.
By making a reservation through the consultation reservation system on the Kia flagship store website, customers can receive consultations on-site without waiting, and if they specify their desired vehicle model when booking, they can receive customized consultations.
Among the brand experience content, they will operate ‘New Tech Simulator,’ where customers can feel the efficiency of advanced driver assistance systems. Visitors can check out ADAS driving technologies by vehicle type using a large LED screen and enjoy a more vivid experience through story-based virtual experiences.
There will also be a ‘3D Configurator’ where customers can virtually create products by directly combining vehicle selection specifications. Through a large media wall, customers can check the interior and exterior of their desired vehicle, as well as the opening and closing of doors and trunk, and indicate directions at full scale.
Additionally, a ‘Digital Color Collection’ is prepared to view all of Kia’s exterior colors. A form of ‘digital color chip’ implemented via a tablet PC allows multiple colors to be viewed and compared simultaneously and lets users save information of the vehicle with their desired color onto their mobile device.
Moreover, to provide a special purchasing experience for new car delivery customers, they have set up a ‘Kia Pickup Lounge’ where they will personally hand over new cars to customers with detailed explanations covering the car unveiling, quality, and inspection processes.
Kia will also introduce a variety of test drive programs, including localized test drive programs for customers interested in experiencing vehicle performance.
First, the ‘Tour Test Drive’ features a course that passes through Kia Autoland Gwangju, allowing you to fully experience the vehicle’s ride comfort while sitting in the second row. It will provide a unique test drive experience by introducing facts about the vehicles, along with key production models from Autoland Gwangju, history, and various detailed information.
For customers considering purchasing an electric vehicle, a test drive program allowing them to experience electric vehicle charging ahead of time is also available. Customers will have chances to charge their vehicles at the ‘E-pit’ (Electric Pit) charging station, installed within the flagship store, helping them in their purchasing decisions.
Additionally, various test drive courses from short to long distances will be arranged, providing multiple options for customers to enjoy their test drives, such as ▲Accompanied Test Drive ▲Unaccompanied Test Drive ▲Night Test Drive ▲Family Test Drive.
To celebrate the opening of the Gwangju flagship store, Kia has organized a ’30th Anniversary Special Exhibition’ for the Sportage, the flagship production vehicle at Autoland Gwangju.
Exhibiting both the first generation Sportage launched in 1993 and the 30th Anniversary Edition model showcased this year, the vehicles will be on display until the 15th of next month (Sunday), along with a digital exhibition showcasing the evolution of Sportage models from generations 1 to 5.
The Kia Gwangju Flagship Store operates every day from 9 AM to 8 PM, and from 8 PM to 10 PM it operates as an unmanned store, allowing free visits to the exhibition area. (※ Closed on January 1, Lunar New Year Day, Chuseok Day, and the following day)
A Kia representative stated, “We will continue to expand future-oriented customer experience spaces provided by Kia and plan to diversify experience content considering the specific characteristics of each site.”
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr