Kia Connect appoints Olivier Pascal as president and CEO

Kia Connect has appointed Olivier Pascal as president and chief executive officer.

Kia Connect is an integrated digital ecosystem featuring connected car services, digital mobility solutions, and charging services. It supports almost two million users across Europe. 

Oliver Pascal most recently served as general manager of Connected Cars at Kia Connect, leading European connected vehicle experience, data, and business development initiatives. 

With more than 15 years of experience in the automotive industry, he has held leadership roles across dealerships, as well as regional and global headquarters, spanning engineering, sales, marketing and technology.

In recent years, Pascal has helped expand Kia Connect’s services, supporting millions of drivers and positioning the company as a leader in digital mobility and data-driven solutions. In his new role, Pascal will lead Kia Connect’s connectivity, digital, data, and charging initiatives, with a strong focus on customer experience, innovation and sustainable growth in Europe.

“Kia Connect’s mission is to make every driving and charging journey smarter, safer, more convenient, and more personal,” said Olivier Pascal. “In 2026, we will deliver tangible value for our B2C and B2B customers and partners, higher-quality features, a truly personalised digital experience, scalable B2B services, and a robust charging solution. By combining innovation, unique customer experiences, responsible data use and operational rigour, we will build sustainable growth and a platform that supports Kia brand differentiation and business success in Europe.”

Marc Hedrich has stepped down as president and CEO while Pablo Martínez Masip steps down as COO. Hedrich has been appointed president of Kia France. Martinez Masip will continue to serve as vice president of product and marketing at Kia Europe.

Kia Connect initiatives support Kia’s wider transformation toward software-defined, customer-centric, and electrified mobility across Europe.

Rolled out last May, the Kia App enhances the digital experience by bringing Kia Connect, Kia Charge, and ownership services into a single interface, with ongoing development planned in areas such as charging and smart-city integration. The platform seeks to enhance convenience, safety, and efficiency throughout ownership.

The platform delivers a broad offering of features, such as Remote Vehicle Status, Vehicle Diagnostics, and Find My Car, alongside app-based control of charging, climate, and locking functions. Regular Over-The-Air (OTA) updates keep vehicles future-ready, with recent releases introducing more than 150 functional improvements and new features driven by customer feedback.

With the latest December update, the Kia App now offers 3D visuals of the EV9, giving drivers a clearer and more tangible view of their vehicle right on their phones. The new model includes a simple visualisation that brings the EV9 to life and helps users explore its shape and design in a more natural way, as it reflects the actual configuration of each user’s EV9, including exterior colour, wheel design, sunroof, and seat layout.