One Nexus & Kia UK celebrate 10 years of Kia Rental success

One Nexus Group, a provider of technology solutions and services in the automotive industry, and Kia UK, an automaker in the UK, are marking a significant milestone today as they celebrate a decade of their Kia Rental programme and the sustained success of their partnership.

The collaboration between One Nexus Group and Kia UK began in June 2014 with the launch of Kia Rental at select dealerships. This initiative was aimed at enhancing mobility solutions for both retail and fleet/business customers. Since then, the programme has grown substantially, now encompassing plans to support 30 dealer rental locations by the end of 2024. This growth translates to over 1,400 vehicles in the fleet, facilitated by the Kia Rental app, which was developed by One Nexus.

The Kia Rental programme has distinguished itself by providing customers with a seamless experience similar to driving a new car. Each participating dealership curates its rental fleet, ensuring high standards of vehicle preparation and short holding periods. The service is particularly beneficial in areas not sufficiently covered by traditional car rental services.

Customers can easily access the Kia Rental service by downloading the app or visiting the Kia website to locate their nearest rental location. The app's user-friendly interface allows new customers to register quickly, utilising state-of-the-art in-app software for a real-time DVLA driver licence and identity check using facial recognition algorithms. This process, which employs the phone's camera and a secure, encrypted connection, aims to enhance security and prevent fraud.

Alan Glazier, Commercial Director at One Nexus, expressed his enthusiasm about the milestone, stating, "We are thrilled to reach this monumental milestone with Kia UK. Our partnership over the last ten years has seen significant progress and innovation within the automotive sector. The Kia Rental app has made great strides in allowing customers to have a seamless car rental experience, and we look forward to supporting Kia UK for many more years to come."

Michelle Prentice, Dealer Rental Programme Manager for Kia Rental, echoed these sentiments. "The programme has developed year-on-year and continues to grow, allowing a large proportion of the UK public yet another form of reliable and convenient mobility," she said. "With Kia's growing EV range, this service also has the ability to further support consumers' transition to electric, alongside Kia's electric expert dealer network when they’re ready to purchase."

Prentice also expressed pride in the dealer rental network and the new technology developed by One Nexus to streamline the rental process. "Here's to the next 10 years!" she declared.

In light of the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, the impending ban on internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035, and the UK's Net Zero goals by 2050, the Kia Rental service aligns well with the shift towards sustainable mobility solutions. The service offers customers the opportunity to test drive Kia's award-winning electric vehicles before making a purchase decision, an option that is increasingly relevant as electric vehicles gain market prominence.

Overall, the decade-long partnership between One Nexus Group and Kia UK has not only bolstered the car rental market but also contributed significantly to the UK's advancing mobility landscape, laying a foundation for continued growth and innovation in the years to come.