CarNow has announced a strategic collaboration with Kia America to upgrade Kia.com’s eCommerce and branded showroom platforms for Kia and its dealers. This collaboration is a significant step forward in advancing the digital retailing strategy for Kia and its dealers and reflects the shared commitment of CarNow, Kia and its dealers to elevate the automotive retailing experience.

CarNow’s enhancements to Kia.com’s eCommerce platform are designed to elevate the online customer journey, starting at the VIN level. The primary focus of Kia EasyBuy is to give customers who visit Kia.com access to the same new Kia inventory listings that appear on the dealer’s website — including the dealer’s retail pricing, trade-in valuation tool, finance calculator and other digital tools offered by the dealer. Customers who begin their journey at Kia.com will have the opportunity to be transferred to the dealer’s website and to receive a dealer email with a QR code that includes the terms of the dealer’s offer.

In addition, CarNow’s branded showroom platform will serve as an enhanced version of the current Kia showroom platform. This stand-alone product provides a unified digital experience for shoppers, bridging the gap from the tier 1 Kia website to the dealer’s website, including delivery and KS2O services.

“This collaboration marks a transformative moment for CarNow, Kia and its dealers,” said Roxanne Dersa, VP of OEM relations at CarNow. “We’re excited to play a pivotal role in ushering in a new step forward in digital retailing. Our shared vision is to empower Kia and its dealers to not just adapt but thrive in today’s modern digital landscape, offering car-buyers an unparalleled and seamless automotive retailing experience.”

Kia dealers will have continued flexibility in selecting their preferred digital retailing provider within the Kia Digital Program.

“Consumer preferences are constantly changing,” said Malia Caskurlu, director, CX Journey at Kia America. “It is crucial for us to adapt to these expectations and facilitate a customer’s journey to purchasing a Kia vehicle with their preferred dealership. Kia’s Digital Retail Program is aimed to bridge our online and offline channels together, thereby offering an integrated and expedited purchasing experience.”

While dealer participation in the program is optional, those who opt in can leverage the program’s branding advantages and a significantly improved lead conversion experience. The enhanced digital retailing experience on Kia.com is set to launch in February, initially exclusive to CarNow-affiliated dealers, providing a strategic window for dealers to capitalize on this unique advantage.

Learn more at www.carnow.com.