A varied range of vehicles customized to meet individual customer needs. This is the commitment made by the Korean firm Kia at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 in Las Vegas - the main global showcase for consumer electronics - with the launch of its new PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) business area.
Intended to surpass existing one-dimensional industrial product line offerings, Kia believes its new approach to PBVs can help solve the future mobility challenges faced by people and organizations with current limited transportation options.
The new business strategy will initially be based on the introduction of a completely new modular vehicle, of which the Kia Concept PV5 will be a preview. This vision for the future is articulated through a multi-phase plan that will see PBVs revolutionize the mobility industry.
This concept will encompass a series of total mobility solutions that combine electric vehicles adapted to their purpose with advanced software solutions. The combined potential of these tools will open the door to new businesses and lifestyles by redefining the concept of space thanks to advanced and personalized interiors that provide maximum freedom and flexibility.
“The idea of this new approach – in the words of Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia – is to go beyond the traditional concept of automobiles, satisfying the currently unmet or unresolved needs of different customers and communities through vehicles and optimized services that address specific commercial and market circumstances.
The Korean brand's PBV roadmap is divided into three different phases. The first will see the introduction of the Kia PV5, a versatile electric vehicle optimized for important areas such as hailing, delivery and public services that features conversion capacity for various uses.
Improved data connectivity between vehicles along with external data, such as route or delivery information, will allow for more convenient operation between multiple vehicles. This will lead to customized commercial fleets that offer less downtime and greater profitability.
In the initial stage, several versions of the PV5 will be available: Basic, Van High Roof, and Chassis Cab versions. In the future, Kia also plans to introduce a Robotaxi model.
The second phase will see the line-up of specific PBV models complete, evolving into AI-based mobility platforms that use data to interact with users and ensure vehicles are always up-to-date. This stage will allow the creation of new forms of business linked to robotics and other technologies of the future.
During this period of expansion of the PBV ecosystem it will be complemented by two other models, the “PV7” and the “PV1”. The first will be the largest product in the range, with more interior space, greater autonomy and improved functionalities. The second will be the smallest product in the range, optimized for agile and short-distance logistical transport, using modules to minimize the turning radius even in narrow spaces.
In the third phase, Kia's PBVs will be able to turn any inspiration into reality. Connected autonomous vehicles will be managed as part of a single smart city operating system giving rise to a hyperconnected world where people, PBVs and social infrastructure are linked, giving rise to completely new lifestyles.
Using "Easy Swap" technology, the vehicle chassis can be used for different mobility purposes. Behind a fixed cabin, or "driver's area", various interchangeable overhead modules, or "life modules", can be connected to the base vehicle using hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology, turning the PBV into a taxi during the day , a delivery van at night, or a personal recreational vehicle on the weekends.
Modularization will be possible thanks to the "Dynamic Hybrid" seamless body structure assembly, which allows the length of the moving members to be flexibly adjusted depending on the purpose of use of the vehicle: transporting people, moving goods or meeting logistics or mobility needs. staff. Composed of high-strength steel tubes and structural polymers, the parts used are reduced by 55% without loss of rigidity.
Sustainability is another fundamental aspect of Kia's PBV design strategy. The use of materials such as bioplastic, post-consumer material (PCM) plastic, bio-paint, recycled PET fabric, felt and yarns and bio-PU foam not only limits the environmental impact, but also offers an attractive visual and tactile experience.
Kia is taking the initiative and dedicating significant efforts and resources to implement all necessary measures to develop its PBV business model. Thus, he is working on the construction of an EVO plant dedicated specifically to Platform Beyond Vehicle vehicles in Hwaseong, Korea. The factory will come into operation in 2025 and will have an annual capacity of 150,000 units.
