Test drives, consultations broaden customer touchpoints
Purchase benefits of up to 1 million won on offer
Free inspections, vehicle care services included
KG Mobility announced Monday it will expand its outreach to taxi customers and strengthen purchase benefits and vehicle care services.
The taxi market is seeing a growing share of SUVs and eco-friendly vehicles, with powertrain options shifting from the traditional sedan-and-LPG combination toward SUVs and electrification, including hybrids. According to Carisyou Data Research Institute, 31,179 taxis were newly registered from January through September this year, of which 7,133 were SUVs — up 1,044 from 6,089 in the same period last year. SUVs' share of all newly registered taxis rose 2.5 percentage points to 22.9 percent.
By fuel type, the share of LPG vehicles — the dominant choice for sedan taxis — fell 4.9 percentage points, from 78.5 percent (23,421 units) in the first nine months of last year to 73.6 percent (22,951 units) in the same period this year. Electric and hybrid vehicles, meanwhile, accounted for 8,144 new registrations this year, pushing their share to 26.1 percent, up 5 percentage points from 6,290 units (21.1 percent) a year earlier.
KGM has been broadening taxi customers' choices with the gasoline-hybrid Torres and Actyon models and the electrified Torres EVX. A bi-fuel LPG system is also available as an option, allowing drivers to combine gasoline engine performance with the cost efficiency of LPG.
KGM opened a taxi driver lounge at its Experience Center Gangnam on Tuesday. The lounge connects to the center's existing facilities, including an LPG filling station and car wash, and visiting drivers can also arrange test drives and purchase consultations.
The company has also introduced purchase incentives. Customers who buy the New Torres, Torres EVX 2027 or Actyon 2027 through the end of October will receive benefits of up to 1 million won ($755). A referral program is also in place, awarding 400,000 KGM points to existing taxi customers who introduce a colleague.
On the vehicle care side, KGM will provide points worth 100,000 won per day for up to seven days if a repair is delayed. The company also offers a Slim Care service package valued at 200,000 won, which covers one round-trip vehicle pickup and delivery, an engine oil and air-conditioning filter change, and a complimentary inspection.
"We are focused on delivering convenience and tangible benefits that drivers can feel throughout their experience with our vehicles," a KGM official said. "We will continue to listen closely to our customers based on direct communication in the field and steadily strengthen the support we provide."
KGM has been maintaining direct engagement with taxi operators — last March, for instance, it invited members of the "Team Torres Taxi Club," a group of Torres EVX taxi drivers, for a factory tour and roundtable discussion.
eyre@heraldcorp.com
