- Kia will develop Japanese-market-specific PBVs
- PV5 to be on sale in Japan in 2026, adopted by PV7 and additional PBV fashions and variants
- Kia will companion with Sojitz Company for PBV distribution in Japan
Kia Company (Kia) as we speak introduced that it’s going to begin gross sales of its Platform Past Automobile (PBV) fashions in Japan in early 2026.
Growth into the Japanese market represents the most recent key pillar of Kia’s international PBV technique, following displays of the model’s PBV idea fashions and PBV enterprise ecosystem at CES 2024 in Las Vegas in North America, the Busan Mobility Present in Korea and IAA in Europe.
Kia will develop a variety of PBVs particularly to satisfy clients’ wants within the Japanese market. The model will launch its first PBV mannequin, the PV5, in early 2026. Revealed at CES in Las Vegas in January in PV5 Idea guise, the car is being developed as a mid-size mannequin to satisfy the scalability of varied enterprise streams within the Japanese market.
Kia additionally plans to create a PBV ecosystem by cooperation and partnerships with numerous native corporations. The Kia PV7 will observe the launch of the PV5 in Japan.
Sangdae Kim, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia PBV Enterprise Division, commented: “We look ahead to commencing PBV gross sales and delivering customer-centered worth with the evolution of Kia’s enterprise within the Japanese market. We are going to proceed to introduce numerous PBV-related options optimized for local-market traits to fulfill the calls for of our Japanese clients.”
Kia’s PBV whole mobility answer combines fit-for-purpose EVs with superior software program options based mostly on Hyundai Motor Group’s software-defined every thing – or SDx – technique. Adopting a devoted PBV platform permits customers to set product specs in line with their particular wants, with a excessive diploma of freedom to find out components similar to seating structure, baggage compartment form, door choices, battery capability and extra.
As a Platform Past Automobile, Kia PBVs allow current companies to considerably enhance cost-competitiveness and ship larger worth to clients by bespoke product options, whereas opening the door to new corporations by redefining the idea of area due to superior, tailor-made interiors that present final freedom and adaptability.
To construct a PBV ecosystem that meets clients’ wants as successfully as doable, Kia has entered a strategic partnership with Japanese buying and selling firm Sojitz Company (Sojitz) Engaged in a variety of companies globally, together with transportation and infrastructure, Sojitz is ideally positioned to function the distributor for Kia PBVs in Japan.
Earlier than commencing PBV gross sales in Japan in early 2026, Kia will proceed to showcase its PBV fashions and PBV enterprise ecosystem at mobility exhibits, and by creating offline alternatives for patrons to expertise the model’s PBV know-how in particular person.
To fulfill international demand for its PBVs, Kia is at present constructing a brand new state-of-the-art ‘EVO Plant’. Positioned throughout the model’s Autoland facility in Hwaseong, Korea, the plant is Kia’s first PBV EV-dedicated manufacturing facility.
