• Kia dealerships will provide vehicle sanitization free of cost for limited time, on a first-come first-serve basis
• Kia has implemented a three-step hygiene and sanitization protocol across all its dealerships
• The brand has confirmed that free service under the protection policy has been extended by two months

The Kia Care initiative has been introduced by the Korean carmaker across all its touchpoints in India. With this initiative Kia is offering its customers extensive vehicle sanitization for free for a limited period, on a first-come first-serve basis. This has been done in efforts to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus. The Korean brand has also announced that it has extended the duration of the free service under the protection policy by two months in order to take care of delays in servicing due to lockdown. Additionally, Kia has implemented a three-step hygiene and sanitisation protocol that covers vehicles, service centres, dealer staff and customers.

What do these three-step protocols include?

The first protocol is the Vehicle Hygiene programme. This consists of a thorough exterior wash, followed by interior cleaning, with special focus on frequently used touchpoints (Steering Wheel, door handles etc.). The interior is cleaned with an anti-microbial solution followed by fumigation of the vehicle (with special equipment and a natural chemical) to sterilize the cabin. This will be available at every dealership for a period of two weeks.

Coming to the second protocol - Network Hygiene, which requires all dealerships and service centres across India to maintain high levels of hygiene for both staff and customer. This includes a three-shift dealership sanitisation programme, making sanitizer easily available in dealerships and regular temperature checks for all customers and employees.

Lastly there is the - Your Hygiene protocol, which promotes the use of the brand’s digital service facility with the Kia Link App, for scheduling date, time, pick-up/ drop-off location and making payment for the service. This will reduce customer contact with staff and prevent the spread of the virus. Customers can also access the exclusive Mobile Workshops with zero physical involvement. 

Kia recently restarted operations at its plant with new safety protocols in place. Also, in an interaction Manohar Bhat, Head – Sales and Marketing, Kia Motors India has with us, he confirmed that the launch of the Sonet compact-SUV was still on track despite the lockdown delays.