“We Will Digitally Transform Automotive Sales and Distribution Worldwide”

EPIKAR, a startup that digitizes automotive dealership operations, is preparing to enter the U.S. market in earnest, expanding beyond Korea.
Rather than limiting its business to providing a Dealer Management Solution (DMS) to BMW Korea and its seven official dealer groups, the company has established a U.S. subsidiary in order to pursue broader market opportunities.

Han Bosuk, CEO of EPIKAR, met with a correspondent in San Jose, California, and said,
“I want to develop the U.S. market at the same time as Korea.”

Automotive dealerships still rely heavily on manual operations. Customers can only check test drive availability after visiting a showroom, and dealership staff manage test drive vehicles by hand. Vehicle assignment is also handled through analog methods. Han emphasized that “if dealerships undergo digital transformation, they can save both time and costs.”

While the automotive market is rapidly shifting from gasoline powered vehicles to electric vehicles, the dealership industry has been slow to adopt digital transformation. Dependence on individual employees remains high, and face to face sales continue to dominate.

This is precisely the area EPIKAR has focused on.

EPIKAR’s services are broadly divided into three categories:
△ test-drive solutions,
△ digital maintenance solutions, and
△ marketing tools for loyal customers.

Using the test-drive solution, customers can conveniently select vehicle models and schedules, while dealership staff no longer need to handle complicated paperwork. Through PC monitors, staff can also identify the location of test drive vehicles and track their utilization rates.

The digital workshop solution is designed for service centers. When a vehicle enters or exits the facility, the system recognizes the license plate to confirm its status. By monitoring vehicle conditions on the workshop floor in real time, operational efficiency is maximized. The system also predicts repair completion times in advance, helping reduce customer waiting times.

In addition, EPIKAR provides a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) service for sales staff. By efficiently delivering test-drive coupons or after-sales discount coupons to potential customers, the platform increases the likelihood of vehicle purchases.

The reason Han believes EPIKAR’s services will also work in the United States is Tesla’s success. Tesla has drawn admiration from automakers and dealer groups across the U.S. by centering not only its electric vehicles but also its sales model around digital solutions.

Han said,
“I am confident that EPIKAR’s services will also be applicable in the U.S.,” adding that “we are in discussions with various dealership groups in the United States to explore service partnerships.”

Han’s decision to pursue dealership digital transformation stemmed from his experience working as a big data specialist at BMW Korea. After graduating from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Hanyang University, he completed his master’s degree at the University of Michigan and returned to Korea. While working at BMW Korea, he realized the need for digital transformation within dealership operations.

He founded EPIKAR in 2016.

EPIKAR has since successfully raised Series A funding from multiple investors, including the Korea Development Bank (KDB).