Automakers are trying to find more and better ways to connect with their consumers and the more connected youth. Many of the millennials were the first to experience the world wide web when it was AOL and dial-up, whereas other generations don’t know a world when the internet didn’t exist – what a shame. Today, all one needs to do is pick up their phone, and a simple voice command allows the speaker to ask just about anything and get a response. If not a phone, then a smart device. Many automakers have been releasing skills for devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to use so that consumers can get more information about automotive brands and models. Kia Motors is one of them, recently working with Google to make a new “Kia Service” available on the Google Voice Assistant.

It isn’t clear if Kia Motors and Google have a partnership or a pulling of some strings, but regardless Kia Motors now has its own feature available on the Google Voice Assistant with a new app. For those unaware of the Google Voice Assistant, it’s a smart feature built into many Android-OS and Google-powered smartphones. Usually at the bottom of the screen with a couple of dots in Google’s signature color scheme, and the user can ask a question or give a voice command, such as “open Gmail”. With the new Kia app available through Google Voice Assistant and Facebook Messenger, consumers have an easy way to make contact with Kia and their local Kia dealer’s service department.

That’s right, this app is specifically designed for helping consumers take care of their vehicle so that it runs better for longer. Kia offers a 10-year/100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000 mile limited basic warranty. The best way to make use of those warranties are with regular maintenance. Through the new “Kia Service” Google Voice Assistant, consumers can ask about warranty terms and service intervals, as well as request dealer directions, service quotes, and answers to common questions. The new app makes it very easy to request service information at a time and place convenient for them with a simple command on any Google Assistant enabled device - “Hey Google, talk to Kia Service”. Based on local data updated by Kia centrally via the cloud to ensure the most up-to-date dealer information is available, along with special offers, based on the user’s real-time location.

Now, don’t rush to the nearest Google phone to test this out just yet. Jointly developed by Kia Europe and Kia Ireland, the pilot testing phase is taking place in Ireland at the moment. From there, it will expand to Europe later this year (2021) and then most likely North America. Kia Motors has yet to hold out on us lately with the Kia Seltos and the Kia Carnival MPV. We’ll undoubtedly see this feature show up on our airwaves soon enough. Maybe we’ll see more features like this pop up. “Hello Kia” is currently in testing as well, a smart assistant integrated into Kia Motors vehicles like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, but in a car.

Look for this new Kia technology on upcoming vehicles when you shop for a new Kia online with NowCar.

Photo Source/Copyright: Kia Press