Kia Motors, the country’s second-largest carmaker, will open three new driving centers this year that offer more customers a place to relax and test-drive cars as they wait for their vehicles to be repaired.

Kia currently operates 15 driving centers at critical operation and maintenance points such as Pohang in North Gyeongsang Province, Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province and Daejeon. The additional three facilities will be built in Gangseo-gu in Seoul, Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province and Wonju in Gangwon Province, the carmaker said Wednesday

“Expanding the number of driving centers is our way of offering customers all-in-one services,” Kia Motors said in a press release. 

“The new services are based on the carmaker’s corporate philosophy that maintenance is not just about repairs, but about providing a multiservice brand experience for customers.”

Up to 10 of Kia’s driving centers offer opportunities to test-drive both Kia and foreign cars, and even allow visitors to take them outside the facility. Kia believes the driving centers will help enhance its brand image.

Kia opened its first driving center in June 2013 in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, in line with the trend set by premium global companies such as BMW.

Some 17,400 people have visited the centers nationwide since then, with about 18 percent purchasing Kia cars after test-drives. The biggest seller was the Sportage, followed by the Sorrento. These purchases accounted for more than 25 percent and 24 percent of Kia’s total sales, respectively, in the first half of this year.

By Suk Gee-hyun (monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)