SOCAR is introducing a service that lets users test-drive new cars such as Volvo and Land Rover models for a week free of charge.
SOCAR said on the 3rd that it will launch Test Drive, a dedicated service that lets users try out new cars for an extended period without a rental fee. Consumers considering buying a car will now be able to test a new vehicle from SOCAR for a week at no cost.
In the Test Drive service within the SOCAR app, users select the desired brand and vehicle and apply; test-drive opportunities are offered by lottery. Using SOCAR's delivery infrastructure, vehicles are delivered to the time and place designated by the customer, and the entire pickup and return process is contactless.
Service areas include major parts of the Seoul metropolitan area such as Seoul, Incheon, Goyang, Hanam, Suwon, Yongin (Suji), and Seongnam (Bundang, Sujeong, Jungwon).
The test-drive period is one week, and the rental fee and insurance are free. During the test drive, the only costs are the driving charge based on actual mileage (free up to 30 km, then 250 won per km) and Hi-Pass tolls. After each test drive ends, the vehicle undergoes interior and exterior washing and a detailed inspection.
The first test-drive partners are Volvo Car Korea (Volvo) and Jaguar Land Rover Korea (Land Rover). Volvo will offer the B4 AWD Ultra (ULTRA), the top trim of its premium compact SUV XC40, for test drives. Land Rover's compact family sport utility vehicle (SUV) Discovery Sport and luxury compact SUV Range Rover Evoque are included in the lineup. Both models are available in the S and Dynamic SE trims.
The first round of test drives will begin on the 24th. A total of 135 people across the two brands will be offered a test-drive opportunity. The application period runs from the 3rd to the 14th of this month; in the SOCAR app's Test Drive menu, select the brand and vehicle you want to test and fill out a brief survey. Winners can check the results on the 19th via the SOCAR app and Alimtalk notifications.
Do Young-seok, head of SOCAR's test-drive business team, said, "Test driving is a very important step in buying a car, a high-involvement product, but it has been offered to consumers with limited time and cumbersome procedures," and added, "Based on the strengths of our contactless vehicle operation know-how and platform accumulated over the years, we will improve access to test drives and expand a reasonable and convenient test-drive experience for manufacturers, dealers, and customers alike."