Here is the most professional and authoritative series of Korean cars and Korean car market, "Korean Trends" No. 1184.
Kia unveiled a PBV electric vehicle at CES 2024, which you can think of as an MPV or a van customized for the B-end market. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as kindergarten school buses, cargo transportation, leisure and entertainment.
Caption: Kia's PBV electric van unveiled at CES 2024.
Kia has envisaged PBV as a core business for the future that will lead the innovation of mobility. Kia's unique and differentiated PBV models that connect people, things, and society will be the company that will lead the future mobility market.
Recently, Kia unveiled its "Future Strategy for Sustainable PBV Mobility Solutions", the core of which is the value that customers bring through PBV.
Kia participated in CES for the first time in 5 years since 2019, and Kia's PBV strategy unveiled on the day was to launch an innovative PBV lineup that moves away from the traditional car concept and adopts the most cutting-edge technology based on software (SW) to create a new mobility ecosystem through partnership diversification. Kia said it would become a leading brand in the PBV market.
Kia's redefined PBV ......"Platformbeyond vehicle".
At the 2024 CES, Kia redefined the concept of PBV as "Platform Beyond Vehicle". At its core, it not only offers new businesses and lifestyles through custom design with freedom and flexibility, but also provides an efficient in-car experience through innovative use of space.
Kia said it plans to go beyond the concept of traditional vehicles with a newly defined PBV business that meets the needs of different customers and communities through vehicles and services optimized for the global market and business environment.
Based on this vision, Kia has unveiled a fully customized PBV roadmap for each stage with the aim of building a mid-size, large, and small PBV lineup.
Kia will launch its first midsize PBV, the PV5, in 2025 and start its PBV business in earnest. It will be equipped with a convergence function that can be replaced with multiple life modules, and will strengthen the connectivity between software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and external data such as routes and information, enabling multiple vehicles to be operated at the same time.
This was followed by the addition of a lineup of large and small PBVs, expanding the field to large logistics companies, mobile businesses, and individual users. At this stage, digital control and autonomous driving technology will be formally applied to Kia's PBV, and the company plans to expand the scope of data connectivity by supporting AI-based vehicle control and management. The company will also promote new businesses related to future technologies, such as robotics.
Since then, the PBV has been developed into a "Bespoke Mobility Solution" that is completely customized according to individual preferences and purposes.
By moving forward with the above phased roadmap, Kia PBV aims to: Autonomous driving, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Robotics, future technologies such as energy grids, and a PBV ecosystem linked to Hyundai Motor Group's SDV strategy to realize Kia's vision of "Platform Beyond Vehicle."
Kia's lineup is diversified starting with the PV5 based on the PBV lineup.
Kia's PBV lineup is based on a simple and intuitive design, while adopting the form of installing a module (upper body) on a platform dedicated to PBV-based EVs to maximize utilization, and all functions are simple and intuitive.
The PV5 is Kia's first dedicated PBV model, featuring a dedicated EV platform and an extendable wheelbase that creates a spacious and flat interior. The steering wheel can be curved upwards and can be used as a desk, giving drivers the same experience as in the office.
PV5 will be available in Basic, Van Version, High Roof Edition, Chassis Cab Edition, and more.
At CES 2024, Kia unveiled the Pv7 and Pv1 concepts in addition to the Pv5 Concept.
The large PBV PV7 offers the most space in the lineup and has a long driving range, making it a model suitable for a variety of purposes.
The small PBV PV1 is optimized for short-distance logistics and uses a drive module to minimize the turning radius in tight spaces. It can move freely such as driving at a right angle or diagonally, rotating in place, pivotturning (freely rotating the vehicle to the desired position), and can move quickly even in a small space where operation is impossible.
Kia expects that through the synergy of the PV7, which is dedicated to long-distance logistics, and the PV1, which can be moved with agility, Kia will provide the best transportation solution from the beginning of logistics to the last mile delivery.