With few physical or online auto shows taking place in Canada this year, Kia Canada has decided to strike out on its own with a digital event.
The company said it will host the Virtual Auto Show Experience, which will run online at a dedicated link from Feb. 22 through April 30. Organizers of the Toronto and Montreal auto shows decided to cancel 2021 events in person and online.
“The first of its kind in Canada, the unique, 3D environment provides Canadians, media, and automotive enthusiasts the ability to experience the full Kia Canada lineup, partake in interactive virtual experiences, and to witness Canadian-specific new product launches,” Kia Canada said in a statement Monday.
The free, virtual show will be accessible by desktop and offers a modified mobile option.
“Our team has created a truly immersive virtual space,” Kia Canada COO Elias El-Achhab said in a statement.
The digital show will offer full 3D versions of Kia models and 360-degree tours of their interiors.
Visitors will enter the show through a central virtual lobby, where they will be greeted with a fly-by video of the full virtual environment. Visitors can access specific models, and special presentations.
“The best way to fully experience our award-winning products is in person, however given the impact of COVID-19, we’ve pivoted to leverage actual design data to help bring our vehicles to life in this virtual environment,” Kia Canada Director of Marketing Michael Kopke said in a statement. “The virtual auto show presents the perfect opportunity to engage one-on-one with the brand, at your own pace and in the comfort and safety of home.”
The online show will allow guests to explore models, inside and out, with the aid of live-chat support 24 hours a day during the show. Kia specialists will respond to questions or book an appointment at a Kia dealership.