Kia launches CarPay, a revolution in in-vehicle payment

Kia unveils CarPay, an in-vehicle payment service that enables drivers to pay for services such as parking via the navigation screen. Marketed gradually on some of the brand's models, CarPay is presented as a means of simplifying life for drivers in urban areas. With this innovation, Kia is positioning itself as an innovative leader in connected mobility, transforming both the driving experience of its users and the in-car payment market.

FACTS

• The Kia car brand has announced the launch of a new feature. This is CarPay, an in-vehicle payment service that enables drivers to pay for services directly from their car's navigation screen.
• Specifically, the Kia CarPay solution enables drivers to locate and pay for a parking space directly from their vehicle's display.
• CarPay payments are made using a payment card. The fully secure process aims to make the parking experience smooth and convenient for drivers.
• The EV3 model will be the first to be equipped with Kia CarPay, followed by all future Kia models. Eventually, the manufacturer plans to extend the solution to include other types of payment.
• To offer CarPay, Kia has teamed up with Parkopedia, a company specializing in innovative in-car services. Initially focused on finding parking spaces and charging stations, the company has since diversified to offer other services such as in-car payment.
• Today, Parkopedia provides real-time access to information on 1.7 million parking spaces in 19 European countries.

CHALLENGES

• An entry into in-car payment: By integrating payments into its vehicles, Kia is entering the in-car payment market. However, it is not the first manufacturer to offer an in-car payment service in its cars, which shows the industry's trend towards “connected mobility”, where payment becomes an integral element in the use of a car.
• Optimizing city parking : with this type of innovation, Kia says it wants to help drivers in dense urban areas in particular, where parking is often complex. The solution is intended to address the problems faced by electric vehicle owners in finding charging stations and unexpected parking fines received while recharging.
• Differentiation in the automotive market: In an automotive sector where connectivity is becoming a key differentiator, Kia is positioning itself as an innovative manufacturer. The development of CarPay and forthcoming new products should enable the brand to stay ahead of its competitors in the field of in-car payment.

MARKET PERSPECTIVE

• With similar initiatives from manufacturers such as Tesla, the vehicle is becoming a digital medium offering services beyond driving. This move towards connected vehicles could ultimately transform consumer habits.
• However, Kia is not the first manufacturer to offer in-car payment. Mercedes, for example, has teamed up with Mastercard to offer in-car payment in certain vehicles. The solution was presented as highly secure, since payments were subject to fingerprint authentication.
• Thanks to the Sheeva-AI brand, the French Citroën brand had also developed an on-board payment solution for certain models marketed in India.