Kia Motor launches monthly-based car subscription service

2019.06.17 14:34:28

[Photo provided by Kia Motors Corp.]À̹ÌÁö È®´ë

[Photo provided by Kia Motors Corp.]

South Korea¡¯s Kia Motors Corp. has launched a mobile lease service enabling drivers to choose from a number of diverse vehicles from sedans to a van on fixed monthly fee.

The vehicle subscription service dubbed Kia Flex Premium allows drivers to switch from a pool of large-sized sedan K9, sports car Stinger and minivan Carnival at a monthly fee of 1.29 million won ($1,087.69) depending on their needs and likings.

The first subscribers also can rent electric vehicle Niro for 72 hours once a month. Customers can sign up the program via mobile application that also deals with payment, reservation, delivery and return.

When subscribers pick a vehicle, it will be delivered to them anytime they want. The service also includes maintenance, repairs, insurance and car tax, the company said.

The company offers a 50,000 won discount per month to customers who sign up for the program for three months in a row. Customers who buy one of the three models within 60 days after the service ends can get a 300,000 won discount. Anyone aged over 26 and holding a driver¡¯s license for more than one year can subscribe to the service. Kia however is limited to service to 50.

Kia Motors said it plans to diversify the service in different model options and prices.

Car subscription is emerging as a popular alternative to leasing worldwide. Its bigger sibling Hyundai Motor has been offering the service named Hyundai Selection with vehicle options including Sonata, Tucsan and Veloster at a flat 720,000 won per month. Its luxury brand Genesis also has a program called Genesis Spectrum that gives subscribers a choice between G70, G80 and G80 Sports at a monthly fee of 1.49 million won.

By Lee Hong-hyuk and Choi Mira

[¨Ï Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]