Category: Motoring

Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) has launched a lubricant called Toyota Genuine Motor Oil.

TNL Managing Director, Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo, said the Toyota Genuine Motor Oil manufactured by Idemitsu of Japan, is the engine oil that comes with every new Toyota vehicle from the manufacturer.

Ade.Ojo quickly added that other automobiles could also use it for good engine performance of their vehicles.

The oil comes in three grades namely 20W50, 5W30 and 15W40.

He described the TGMO as “an exceptional product that represents Toyota’s relentless commitment to innovation, reliability, quality, and sustainability.”

He said one of the many benefits of the new oil is its advanced formula, adding:“This motor oil has been designed to meet and exceed the strictest industry standards.

Read Also: Jet’s crash on busy Lagos road: Matters arising

“Its advanced formula (thin film of protection) provides enhanced protection against engine wear, reduces friction, and optimises fuel efficiency, giving you a smoother and more enjoyable driving experience.”

He gave other benefits of using the oil as engine longevity, environmental friendliness, helping to maintain the vehicle warranty and ultimately ensuring customers satisfaction.

He said: “Toyota Genuine Motor Oil helps extend the life of your engine if used regularly. With its superior protection against sludge and deposits, your engine will remain cleaner, ensuring it operates at peak performance throughout its lifespan.

“At Toyota, we understand our responsibility towards the planet. That’s why we have developed this motor oil to be more environmentally friendly, with reduced emissions during the manufacturing process and extended drain intervals that reduce waste and oil disposal.”

Ade-Ojo said the TGMO would be made available to Toyota customers and other interested motorists through its seven accredited dealers

General Manager, Lubricant Division at Idemitsu Company of Japan, Handa Toyokazu, said firm has had a strong relationship with Toyota Motor Corporation, to produce engine oil that would give peace of minds to users through the technology of lubricant.

Toyokazu added that in introducing the TGMO to Nigeria, “we hope to contribute to the good business of the country using the oil.”

Managing Director of the Middle East and Africa at Idemitsu Lube, Mr Otsubo Shinji, said the company “manufactures and supplies Toyota genuine oil to countries around the world, including Japan.”

He stressed that the oil would help to reduce mechanical wear and friction, keep the engine clean, thus extending the component life of the vehicle.

The highpoint of the launch is the announcement by Ade-Ojo of 10-15 per cent discount for buyers of the oil till the end of the month.

The Delta State Government and Jet System Automobile Industry Limited have taken the first step towards establishing a partnership that could ease the transportation cost in the state.

  The proposed deal revolves around the adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and construction of EV Charging Hubs in the state.

With the high cost of fuel products, the state government and the company have entered into talks on the possibility of helping transporters in the state adopt the eco-friendly electric vehicles for mass transportation.

Jet Systems led by its Chairman, Chidi Ajaere and its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Joseph Osanipin, have visited Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, in Asaba, the capital.

Oborevwori, after inspecting the Jet Systems electric vehicles and test-drove, said the state might consider investing in electric vehicles for mass transportation to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

Read Also: Jet’s crash on busy Lagos road: Matters arising

The governor promised to set up a committee to be headed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu, to look into the viability and sustainability of electric vehicles.

He said: “This is the first time I have the opportunity to drive electric vehicles and you can see that it’s smooth, noiseless and comfortable, and with the way the price of fuel is going up, electric vehicles are better at this time because everybody is trying to move away from fuel to save cost.

“The EVs are cheaper. We are studying this model. Everybody is trying to go in that direction. It will also be economical and the good thing about this is that I am putting together a team headed by the SSG, to see if it is something the state can invest in.”

Ajaere said investing in EVs was good, considering that its eco-friendly and cheaper.

He said the companies were investing in electric vehicles due to rising cost of fuel and maintenance.

Ajaere said: “The Federal Government is already taking the initiative of investing in electric vehicles. We have abundance of sun in Nigeria, so the government should look into building solar- powered charging infrastructure. With electric vehicles, you eliminate the cost of vehicle maintenance and fuel by almost 80 per cent. The life span of the battery is about 10 years and the bigger vehicles can do about 300km on a full charge; that’s like moving from Lagos to Ibadan and back to Lagos or from Asaba to Warri and back to Asaba.

“All we need is just the government to build solar-charging stations along the way for these vehicles when travelling a longer distance so that when the passengers come down to ease themselves like they usually do, you can plug in your car to charge for some time before continuing your journey.

“During the rainy season, the solar-charging infrastructure will have batteries that would store power for these vehicles to charge on gloomy days like this. Those stations can also be attached to CNG-powered lines to help charge vehicles during the rainy season.”

The Lekki Muslim Nursery and Primary Schools (LMS) has won the best quality education award (Muslim Schools Category) at the West African Quality Education Awards for 2023.

The award ceremony took place at the banquet hall, Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.

The organisers said they had been monitoring the activities of the school since September 2022 and also sent observers to pose as potential parents, which was also replicated in other schools but it was chosen as the winner for the academic year 2022/2023 due to its quality education policies.

Lekki Muslim Ummah (LEMU) President, Dr. Abdul Ganiy’ Sola Labinjo,  said the award is a testimony that nothing is impossible if the mind is set to work relentlessly towards achieving the set objective.

“It gives me great pleasure to celebrate this award. I congratulate the school’s Governing Board, management and administrator on this very heart warming recognition.However, I wish to admonish the management of the School, not to be complacent as our goal is yet to be attained and the best is yet to come,” he advised.

He assured LMS of the support of the Executive Committee to place all “our educational institutions on the highest pedestal; providing a robust and sound foundational Islamic and secular education.”

Chairman, Board of Governors and former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Alhaji Adeniji Kazeem, congratulated the school administrator and members of staff of LMS for “this wonderful achievement. The mandate of the Board of Governors is to ensure quality and standard of excellence. This award has confirmed the effort of the BOG in achieving this mandate.”

The school Head, Mr. Jamiu Mustafa, appreciated the support and cooperation of Board of Governors, Executives of LEMU, the parents, pupils and members of staff of LMS.

“This is the first time in the history of LMS that an award of this magnitude would be presented to us,” he said.

Mustafa pointed out that the award was as a result of recommended quality education policies approved for implementation by the members of the board.

The founder of City of Knowledge Academy (CKA), Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga, yesterday said the need to combine academic excellence with morality informed her decision to establish the multiple-award winning school.

At a briefing on the 10th year anniversary of the school, Mrs Belo-Olusoga said this complimented her long passion for learning and imparting knowledge.

According to her, establishing the academy “is not just an accomplishment, but the fulfillment of a passion and a dream. Right from my days in the banking sector, my passion for learning and imparting knowledge had been very strong. I very often facilitated training programmes to my fellow bankers.”

The former chairman of Access Bank Plc said her choice of situating the school in Ogun State was to ensure a place that is safe and serene.

She said: “I want a combination of people being excellent but I also want to bring in our culture; typically a Nigerian child is forgetting their culture. I was very concern about culture. I’m also concern about developing the character of an individual child. If you combine education, character and culture, I wanted a very confident child, So that informed the ethical pillars of the CKA.

“If you are comfortable in your own skin wherever you are, you will be proud of your culture. As I said, good education is the foundation; by imbibing sound culture and integrity which are our core values, our students will be able to stand shoulder to shoulder with any their contemporaries anywhere in the world. This is also another way of supporting the government in giving quality top-notch education.”

The Head of School, Ms Abiola Lamikanra, said the 10 years journey has been a bitter-sweet experience.

She said: “Over the years, we have built a culture of excellence; our children have had fantastic academic results, not only in academics but in all other areas of human endeavours. For three years consecutively, CKA students are winners in the National Microsoft Specialist Competition. One of our students will be going to the United States next week to represent Nigeria in the World Microsoft finalist competition. When you talk about public speaking, science, sports, and Music, our students are good in all that aspects. We are a school that provide many opportunities to students to showcase their talents.

“There are lot of potentials we have in all the students. We are training them to be global leaders; they are intentional about leadership skills. Whenever our students go out, we get feedback that they are well behaved. What guided us in all of our operations are the ethical pillars we have – Confidence, Character and Culture.”

The Vice Principal Admin/Pastoral, Mr Edwin Bankole, said the students had almost 90 per cent progression into higher institutions.

Bankole added that school recorded 100 per cent performance in West African Examination Council (WAEC) in 2021.

According to him, the school teachers go through regular rigorous trainings to meet up with the task of shunning out excellent students.

In the area of discipline, the VP thanked the parents for cooperating with the school management to instill discipline in the students.

The Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), the umbrella body for journalists in the print, electronic and online media platforms reporting the automotive industry in Nigeria, has announced August 24 for its annual Training/Capacity Building Workshop in Lagos.

The yearly training programme, aimed at equipping the motoring journalists with the necessary reportorial skills as it relates to Nigeria’s automotive industry and globally, has two themes for this year’s edition.

Chairman of NAJA, Mike Ochonma in a statement, said two very critical themes have been chosen for the NAJA Training/Capacity Building workshop because of its crucial importance to Nigeria’s automotive industry.

“In other to equip our members with the necessary tool, we have as our major theme, Motoring Journalists and Role of New Media in Automotive Reportage. Another crucial theme during the 1-day event is, ‘Natural Gas (CNG, LNG, LPG) as an Alternative amid Fuel Subsidy Removal.

According to him, it is imperative for journalists covering the automotive sector to be in sync with latest happenings in the sector, especially at this point in time that many Nigerians are clamouring for alternative fuel following the removal of subsidy on fuel.

He said the event will be bringing together critical stakeholders with deep knowledge of the auto industry to help educate motoring journalists on necessary reportorial skills as it relates to the industry and globally.

Nigeria’s automotive enthusiasts have cause for celebration as the leading automobile brand in the country, Kia, introduces the highly anticipated Kia K8 sedan to the country.

This extraordinary vehicle, embodying unparalleled luxury and redefining innovation within the sedan class, is now available for booking. Discerning customers can reserve their orders, securing their chance to experience the epitome of automotive opulence. With the arrival of the Kia K8, Nigeria’s roads are about to witness a new level of luxury and sophistication.

General Manager of Kia Nigeria, Mathews Kuruvilla, lauded the K8, saying: “The Kia K8 is a true masterpiece in automotive design, offering a harmonious blend of elegance and comfort that is simply unrivalled. The Kia K8 ensures a seamless and enjoyable driving experience with its comprehensive suite of advanced safety technologies and intuitive connectivity features.”

The Kia K8 sedan stands out with its sleek and dynamic exterior design, commanding attention wherever it roams. Its meticulously crafted interior exudes a sense of opulence, seamlessly blending refined craftsmanship with utmost comfort.

The Marketing Manager of Kia Nigeria, Olawale Jimoh, expressed excitement about the Kia K8’s availability.

“We are delighted to announce that the Kia K8 is now within reach of our esteemed customers in Nigeria. This exceptional sedan represents a pinnacle of luxury, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology,” Jimoh said.

Beyond its captivating looks, the Kia K8 packs a punch under the hood, offering a range of powerful engine options for an exhilarating driving experience. From its responsive turbocharged engines to its agile and smooth handling, the K8 guarantees a performance that will leave drivers awestruck.

The Kia K8 is designed to provide an extraordinary driving experience, combining power, agility, and refinement. It embodies Kia’s commitment to delivering vehicles that inspire and captivate.

The Kia K8 sets a new standard with its advanced technology suite, featuring various safety features and advanced connectivity options.

With state-of-the-art driver-assistance systems prioritizing the well-being of drivers and passengers, every journey in the K8 is characterized by safety and security.

Furthermore, innovative connectivity features keep occupants entertained and connected throughout their travels.

With the Kia K8 now available in Nigeria, customers have the opportunity to embrace a new era of luxury and sophistication on Nigerian roads. By reserving their orders, customers can secure their place among the first to experience the remarkable features and unrivalled performance of the K8.

Jimoh added that the Kia K8 will redefine the luxury sedan experience in Nigeria, offering a perfect blend of style, performance, and advanced technology.

“Kia Motors’ introduction of the Kia K8 in Nigeria underscores their commitment to delivering groundbreaking vehicles that surpass customer expectations. The K8 sedan epitomizes the brand’s dedication to pushing boundaries and setting new industry standards. The Kia K8 represents a significant milestone in our pursuit of automotive excellence. We are proud to present this exceptional sedan to our valued customers in Nigeria, and we firmly believe that it will exceed all their expectations,” he said.

Drivepadi, a leading car rental and peer-to-peer sharing platform, is excited to announce its official launch in Lagos. Designed to revolutionize the way people rent and share cars, Drivepadi aims to provide a seamless and convenient experience for both car owners and renters.

With Drivepadi, users can easily list their cars for rent and connect with potential renters in their area. The platform offers a wide selection of vehicles, from compact cars to luxury sedans and SUVs, ensuring that renters can find the perfect car to suit their needs. Drivepadi’s advanced booking system and secure payment process provide peace of mind for both hosts and renters.

“We are thrilled to launch Drivepadi and bring a new level of convenience and affordability to the car rental industry,” said Kings Ghedosa, CEO of Drivepadi Technologies. “Our platform is designed to empower car owners to monetize their idle vehicles while providing renters with a wide range of options to choose from. We believe this will revolutionize the way people think about car rentals. Also, with changing lifestyles and increasing costs, people are seeking convenient alternatives to traditional car ownership. Drivepadi provides that timely solution by offering a platform that allows individuals to rent out their vehicles or book a car when needed, promoting cost savings, sustainability, and convenience. Drivepadi is committed to making car sharing easy, safe, and convenient for everyone, and our mission is to create a platform where everyone can have access to affordable, secure, and convenient transportation in Nigeria’’.

Read Also: Digital platform to simplify wholesale procurement

Drivepadi’s launch comes at a time when the sharing economy is gaining significant momentum. With a focus on safety, reliability, and transparency, Drivepadi aims to establish itself as the go-to platform for car rentals in Lagos. The company is committed to providing exceptional customer service and ensuring a seamless user experience for all its users.

To celebrate the launch, Drivepadi is offering exclusive promotions and discounts to both hosts and renters. Users can sign up for free on the Drivepadi website www.drivepadi.com or download the Drivepadi mobile app on google playstore to start listing their cars or browsing available rentals.

About Drivepadi:
Drivepadi is a leading car rental and peer-to-peer sharing platform, connecting car owners with renters in a seamless and convenient way. With a wide range of vehicles available and advanced booking features, Drivepadi aims to revolutionize the car rental industry and provide a superior experience for both hosts and renters.

The Southwest women leaders (Iyalodes) said they are praying to God to assist President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu in choosing the right people to work with him.

Tinubu will be inaugurated as the 16th President of Nigeria on Monday.

The Iyalodes, at a meeting in Lagos, said Tinubu has a good agenda to make Nigeria great but he needs people to implement them.

The Iyalode of Yorubaland who doubles as the Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief Alaba Lawson, said the women leaders in Southwest will do all within their power to protect Tinubu’s administration from evil-minded people.

“We are going to support this administration like we have done for others. We will rally round him to ensure his administration is successful. We have been praying for him (Tinubu). May God give him the divine wisdom to turn Nigeria into a better country,” she said.

Chief Lawson urged Tinubu to carefully select those that will work with him, saying that consideration should not be given to those that would make him deviate from his plans for Nigerians.

Nigeria, he said, is passing through some challenges noting that those challenges are surmountable.

She appealed to the President-elect to ensure that women are well represented in his cabinet.

Also speaking, the Iyalode of Lagos Chief Mrs Bintu Fatima Tinubu, said Tinubu is capable of leading the country going by his antecedents in Lagos.

Chief Tinubu said: “You’ve been in the country for a while; you’ve seen him from when he became a senator with the largest number of votes in the country. He did well in the Senate. After that he became the Governor of Lagos State. He performed excellently to the extent that governors from other states came to copy his initiatives to develop their states. He didn’t get the presidential mandate on a platter of gold; he worked hard to achieve it and I can assure you that he is going to work harder to meet the yearnings of Nigerians.”

According to him, Tinubu’s experience in the private and public sectors would count in his favour in leading the country.

Read Also: Why Tinubu/Shettima should prioritize poverty eradication

Chief Tinubu assured Nigerians that Tinubu’s cabinet is going to be a square peg in a square hole.

“Once he gets his team right, things will fall in proper places. He certainly knows how to get the best people to deliver his programmes,” she said.

Iyalode Imesi Ile in Osun State, Chief Stella Adebayo called on government at all levels to carry the Iyalodes along for effective implementation of their programmes.

Chief Adebayo said “the Iyalodes are closer to the people and understand what they want. As you can see, we come from different states and communities, we are closer to them.”

She said the president-elect knows the value women will bring into his government.

Ajia Iyalode of Ibadanland Dr Ayomo Alaga, who represented Iyalode of Ibadanland, said Tinubu should consider 35 per cent Affirmative Action of the Beijing Conference.

According to her, women can help drive the president-elect’s agenda if given the proper role.

The new 2024 Toyota Tacoma aims to rule the midsize truck market. With an available hybrid powertrain, the return of a two-seat configuration and tons of new trim levels, the Tacoma is almost daring you to consider anything else.

This is undoubtedly the year of the midsize pickup, with new versions of the Ford Ranger, GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado all debuting in 2023. Add the 2024 Toyota Tacoma to that list, which will arrive at dealer showrooms by year’s end.

Unlike the current Tacoma — which was redesigned in 2016 but shares mechanical bits with its 2005-2015 predecessor — the 2024 Tacoma is completely new. It rides on the TNGA-K global truck platform that also underpins the Tundra and Sequoia, and like those full-size behemoths, offers a bevy of changes underhood.

For now, just know that the new Tacoma has a beefy, Tundra-inspired exterior design and a modern interior with lots of standard tech features, and it introduces a number of different trim levels, including the return of the PreRunner. Whether your primary use case is for rock-crawling, mall-crawling or overlanding, there’s a Tacoma to fit your needs. Especially if you want one with a vigorous hybrid powertrain.

Gone are the anemic naturally aspirated inline-four and industrial V6. Instead, most Tacomas will be powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder borrowed from a number of newer Toyota and Lexus products. In the wallet-friendly SR base trim, the engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic and makes a modest 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque. This engine tune won’t set a dragstrip on fire, but there’s a lot more juice under the hood than the old four-cylinder’s 159 hp and 180 lb-ft.

Other trim levels benefit from a significant power boost. Models equipped with the available six-speed manual transmission will generate 270 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque while opting for the eight-speed auto bumps output to 278 hp and 317 lb-ft. The automatic has the same amount of power as the old V6, but the torque increases from 265 lb-ft.

The turbo-four is a welcome change from the old-school engines that drove the last Tacoma. Hopefully downsizing the number of cylinders leads to improved fuel economy versus the V6, too.

If you want the best fuel economy possible — or even the speediest Taco available — there’s good news! The new i-Force Max powertrain offers both. It pairs the turbocharged engine with a 1.87-kWh nickel metal hydride battery pack and an electric motor integrated with the eight-speed transmission. That’s right — for the first time in its history, the Tacoma is going hybrid. The extra electric motor increases output to a lofty 326 hp and 465 lb-ft, which will make this the most potent powertrain in the midsize truck class. While Toyota hasn’t announced any fuel economy targets just yet, the Lexus RX offers both powertrains, and the RX hybrid’s city rating is about 29 per cent higher than its non-hybrid counterpart.

Of course, trucks just aren’t about the grunt underhood — they have to deal with the challenges of daily living, too. One of the biggest upgrades to the 2024 Tacoma is the new multilink rear suspension. While the SR, SR5 and TRD PreRunner (more on that in a minute) still make do with the leaf springs of the previous Tacoma, all others get more sophisticated coils, which should pay dividends when it comes to road comfort. Dampers and tuning are also highly differentiated across the board. The TRD Off-Road, for instance, equips the Tacoma with monotube Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs, while the TRD Pro is outfitted with Fox QS3 three-way adjustable internal bypass shocks. The Trailhunter utilizes an Old Man Emu suspension by ARB, while the Limited rides on adaptive dampers.

The Tacoma now gets disc brakes all around, with TRD, Limited and Trailhunter models specifically getting larger front brakes. Selecting the hybrid powertrain adds bigger rear brakes as well.

The Tacoma cabin looks like a scaled-down version of the Tundra’s interior. The primary focal point is the touchscreen perched atop the centre stack. It measures 8 inches on most models, with the Primo Limited, TRD Pro and Trailhunter variants getting an eye-catching 14-inch screen (which will likely be an optional upgrade on lower trims). Below that is the climate control array — it’s nice to see that Toyota has retained physical knobs and toggles, bucking the current trend of these controls hidden in touchscreen menus. A big, chunky shifter and vehicle system buttons form the base of the centre stack, and all are large enough that they should be easy to press and twist if you’re wearing work gloves. The steering wheel looks like it’s lifted straight from the Tundra, with TRD models sporting a spiffy red line at the noon position so you know, at a glance, where the wheels are pointed.

Speaking of the TRD models … while most Tacoma variants play it safe with traditional black or grey tones — a notable exception being the TRD Sport, which has body-coloured interior trim panels — the TRD Pro’s cabin is unhinged in the best way. Up front, you have red trim aplenty, from the stitching to the door panels and glovebox, and even red leather upholstery. Nothing too wild at first glance, just some sporty accents to separate the Pro from the amateurs.

That is, until you get into the back, and you realize that you have absolute knee crushers in front of you. That’s because Toyota is equipping the TRD Pro with so-called IsoDynamic Performance Seats, which feature shock absorbers mounted behind the seat to counteract the violent forces at work during extreme off-roading. Toyota says the seats “[allow] for vertical and lateral seat movement simultaneously to dampen body movement and stabilize the head and neck to keep alignment with the spine.” We say they look wildly over-engineered and we can’t wait to try them out on the trail.

The 2024 Tacoma is available in the following configurations: single cab/6-foot bed, crew cab/5-foot bed and crew cab/6-foot bed. The automaker claims a seven per cent increase in bed volume due to taller bedsides. One neat feature worth noting is the aluminium tailgate’s power open and close function. You can even trigger the tailgate closing by gently lifting it an inch or so; the power portion brings it up the rest of the way.

The 2024 Toyota Tacoma is available with many different trim levels, bedsizes, cab layouts, powertrain options, transmissions and more. To help you make sense of everything available, our separate article details all of Tacoma’s configurations.

However, there are a few grades worth pointing out. The PreRunner name returns for the new Tacoma and serves as the new entry point to the TRD lineup. The TRD PreRunner is only available in the XtraCab (single cab) body style and the rear-wheel-drive powertrain with an electronically locking rear differential. It’s also equipped with all-terrain tires for light off-roading action.

At the tip-top of the Tacoma range is the new overlanding-focused Trailhunter. As with most upper-spec Tacomas, it’s only available in the Double Cab (crew cab) configuration, and it starts with the hybrid powertrain and 4WD. It rides on ARB’s Old Man Emu forged monotube shocks with remote reservoirs and features 33-inch Goodyear Territory R/T tires. From there, the Trailhunter adds pretty much every accessory known to man, with highlights including a steel rear bumper, tow hooks, snorkel air intake and bronze wheels. There’s even an onboard compressor for quickly airing up the tires after a long day of rock crawling.

Kia has introduced its Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) technology through its EV9 SUV’s on-demand features and over-the-air (OTA) software updates, allowing customers to remotely purchase and install new software functions based on their needs. Kia, which is affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group, has recently launched its flagship electric SUV, the EV9. Notably, it is the Group’s first model to offer a range of digital features and services accessible via the Kia Connect Store.

The EV9’s electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture allows for OTA software updates, giving customers the added flexibility to select the features they want to upgrade. In addition to innovative experiences, such as Highway Driving Pilot (HDP), which provides conditional Level 3 autonomous driving, further on-demand services will be continuously introduced through the Kia Connect Store, providing personalized experiences and new value for customers through advanced SDV technology.

Hyundai Motor Group’s future roadmap for SDV, announced last October at the Unlock the Software Age event, highlights the safe and comfortable freedom of movement offered by software. Upgradeable software can enhance vehicle functions, including safety, convenience, connectivity, security, and driving performance, to offer innovative customer experiences. By embracing the latest technology, Kia is providing customers with personalized, cutting-edge experiences and paving the way for a new era of mobility.  Kia’s introduction of the Kia EV9 marks a big step forward for the SDV era. One of the most notable features of the EV9 is its expanded OTA software update capability. Unlike previous models, the EV9’s OTA software update capability allows for updating not just the vehicle’s core components but also its convenience features, providing the EV9 with endless possibilities as an SDV.

With the expanded OTA software update capability, various functions and convenience specifications can now be added or updated without requiring a separate equipment connection to the vehicle. This is possible through wireless communication between the cloud server and the vehicle, enabling control unit software updates without customers having to visit a service center.

The integration of vehicle control units into four functional areas, based on a domain centralized architecture, is in line with the Group’s SDV strategy. This integration process has significantly reduced the number of control units, providing a robust technological foundation for efficient vehicle function and performance upgrades.

Kia is taking a step further in providing a personalized vehicle experience to its customers. The company recently announced the introduction of Hyundai Motor Group’s first-ever on-demand service with the Kia EV9, which will be available through the Kia Connect Store.

The Kia Connect Store offers a range of features, such as Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, which enables drivers to park and exit their vehicles remotely. The store also offers a feature called Lighting Pattern, which provides five different display modes for the two clusters of small cube lamps affixed to the SUV’s front. The ultimate goal is to provide a wider range of high-tech features in the future.

Customers are met with unprecedented freedom and flexibility to choose and purchase the features they want at any time and from any location. With the Kia Connect Store website, customers can effortlessly browse and select the features they desire, without being bound by the constraints of their initial purchase specifications.

Kia’s unwavering commitment to expanding customer choice and providing lifetime usage products is evident in its focus on catering to the unique needs of its diverse customer base, including those who opt for leasing, rental, and used car sales. The company is devoted to developing on-demand services that are personalized to individual lifestyles and enable customers to directly customize their products, further enhancing their driving experience.

Hyundai Motor Group is dedicated to continuously advancing the latest mobility technologies. To that end, the brand places an emphasis on creating products and services that empower customers to express their individuality and enhance their entertainment options. 

Such features include entertainment-related services like movies, games, and video conferencing, which are highly relevant in the context of mobility as a living space. Additionally, in response to the trend towards personalization, the group plans to further develop products and services that allow customers to express their individuality through displays, sound, lighting, and other means. 

Hyundai Motor Group remains dedicated to exploring new avenues to elevate the mobility experience for its customers. Starting with the Kia EV9, Kia, alongside its sister brands Hyundai and Genesis, aims to accelerate its journey towards SDVs and bolster associated technologies, ultimately providing unparalleled mobility experiences to its valued customers.