PBV

Platform Beyond Vehicle

What makes us move?

Our questions have always moved us forward.

Where does new inspiration come from?

Can even a tiny spark of inspiration completely transform the way we move?

Could EVs one day be able to complement every lifestyle?

Why can't innovation and sustainability go hand in hand?

We at Kia have always found the answers to our own questions, and every new question has taken us to new heights.

Today, we ask ourselves another important question:

How will tomorrow's mobility transform our cities, personal spaces and lifestyles?

Starting now, we share with you the answers to these questions. Kia PBV.

About Kia PBV

Kia PBV started as Purpose Built Vehicle optimized for each customer's intended use, with Hyundai Motor Group's software-based solutions such as charging, IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) and data-based FMS (Fleet Management System) based on our capabilities and experiences in EV (Electric Vehicle) manufacturing.

Now we are positioning ourselves as The PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) Originator. Kia PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) is a total mobility solution that combines fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s software-to-everything, or SDx, strategy. Kia PBVs will open the door to new businesses and lifestyles by redefining the concept of space thanks to advanced, tailored interiors that provide ultimate freedom and flexibility.

Kia PBV represents our vision to be a Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider beyond the traditional concept of automobiles, by fulfilling the unmet needs of diverse customers and communities through optimized vehicles and services that cater to specific market and business circumstances.

Why Kia PBV

Kia defines the PBV business as a trust-based specialized and customized business ecosystem for each customer domain. The PBV ecosystem will be structured around specialized (1) lineup, (2) production system, (3) product development process, (4) solutions, and (5) future businesses.

Lineup

In 2025, Kia's PBV dedicated line-up will start with the PV5, followed by the PV7 and the PV1. By combining the PBV platform with various upper bodies, our PBV lineup will be available for multiple purposes including logistics, ride-hailing and personal lifestyle activities. The vehicle design will be robust and simple, and all functions will be easy and intuitive to use.

Kia will expand the concept of mobility - which has been limited due to the small range of vehicle lineup - and better respond to our customers' diverse needs.

Production System

Kia began construction of its PBV-dedicated Hwaseong EVO plant in 2023. The plant will apply an innovative production process that combines a new cell method with the traditional conveyor system, and will soon introduce Dynamic Hybrid technology to respond to diverse customer needs more flexibly.

Product Development Process

Kia has innovated the product development process by delivering customized vehicles that meet the needs of customers' businesses and incorporating their requirements across our software solutions.

Starting with the first PBV Partners Day in 2022, Kia has unveiled the vehicles under development for the first time to domestic and global customers and conversion partners to check overall vehicle requirements for their business. Our potential customers evaluated positively the fact that Kia created this process to jointly solve problems from the customer’s business perspective, which has since led to further business collaboration.

Solutions

Kia is developing specialized software solutions for each business area to increase business efficiency and better transition to a fully electric and autonomous future.

Kia's IVI (In-Vehicle Infotainment) solution is designed to make daily life as smooth as possible. It recognizes the user, their purpose and operational needs in real-time, automatically loads the user's profile, presets and preferences, and provides useful data. Additionally, services optimized for the customer's purpose of use are listed in the IVI App market, where optimized solutions are available in the form of natively integrated Apps.

In addition, Kia’s FMS (Fleet Management System) solution helps optimize PBV operation while ensuring business stability through active data collection and management. Utilizing the vehicle’s Data API, vast amounts of data generated during PBV operation can be connected with AI Cloud for more efficient fleet management in real time. This provides customers with insights to maximize the efficiency of business operations such as preventive vehicle maintenance based on the condition of the PBV.

Finally, Kia will provide optimized EV charging consulting solutions such as charging scheduling and charging station systems in consideration of the various conditions of the PBV operation. In the future, Kia will realize Total Energy Solution by building advanced charging infrastructure such as V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything).

Future Business

Kia will align its PBV business with Hyundai Motor Group's key future businesses of Robotics, AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) and Autonomous driving to ultimately implement them in smart cities.

In the case of Robotics, Kia will revolutionize manufacturing and logistics through Boston Dynamics Stretch and SPOT. AAM will bring smart cities closer to reality by realizing multi-modal services and mobility hub businesses with Supernal. In regards to Autonomous driving, Kia is working on a PV5-R with Motional, and in the near future plans to achieve level 4 autonomous driving with Motional's next generation system.

Kia PBV Roadmap

Phase 1

Our first Mid PBV, the Kia PV5, will be an EV optimized for major domains such as delivery, utilities and hailing that features conversion capability for diverse customer needs. Enhanced data connectivity between vehicles and external data such as route or delivery information will enable convenient operation of multiple vehicles as a software-defined fleet. This emergence of customized business fleets and PBV-specific solutions means less downtime and enhanced cost-effectiveness.

Phase 2

Kia PBVs will evolve into AI-based mobility platforms that use data to interact with users and ensure that it is always up-to-date. The completion of a dedicated PBV lineup will expand domain coverage to large logistics companies, mobility businesses and private lifestyle users. Real-time vehicle data will be shared with city management systems, enabling us to continuously provide customers with advanced mobility solutions using optimized fleet management system-controlled digital data. Expanding the scope of data connectivity will support AI-driven vehicle control and management, and an integrated PBV solution will provide a customized, seamless experience across devices and software. Meanwhile, new forms of business linked with robotics and other future technologies will emerge.

Phase 3

Kia PBVs will evolve into highly customizable mobility solutions by integrating into the future mobility ecosystem. This is where Kia PBVs will ultimately become life platforms that can make any spark of inspiration a reality. Connected self-driving vehicles will be managed as part of a single smart city operating system. And with the emergence of a hyper-connected world where people, PBVs and social infrastructure are seamlessly linked, we will open the door to completely new lifestyles by creating a robust PBV ecosystem based on the Hyundai Motor Group’s future technologies for autonomous driving, advanced air mobility, robotics and the energy grid.

All Set for Every Inspiration

What will our cities look like as the world of mobility evolves? 

Will innovation completely redefine logistics as we know it? 

How will living spaces and people become more connected? 

These are some of the countless questions that inspire us and move us into the future. The answers to our questions about tomorrow come to life through inspring mobility solutions for everyone. 

Kia welcomes you to the future you've always envisioned.