New Delhi: Kia has unveiled its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) future strategy at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Kia’s PBV business will initially be based on the introduction of an all-new, modular vehicle, previewed by the Kia Concept PV5.
The company presented a future vision alongside a multi-phase plan that will see PBVs revolutionize the mobility industry which will help to advance Hyundai Motor Group’s ambitions in robotics, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and autonomous driving.
Kia PBVs are a 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 with advanced, tailored interiors that provide flexibility.
“Kia’s PBV business represents our vision of going beyond the traditional concept of automobiles by fulfilling the unmet needs of diverse customers and communities through optimized vehicles and services catering to specific market and business circumstances,” Ho Sung Song, Kia President and CEO, said.
The launch of Kia’s PBV business will see the brand commit to providing a varied range of customized vehicle types to meet customers’ individual requirements. Determined to overcome all existing restrictive and one-dimensional industry product line-up offerings, Kia believes its new approach to PBVs can help solve the mobility challenges encountered by individuals and organizations with limited transportation options, the company said in a release.
Phase one will see the introduction of the Kia PV5, a versatile EV optimized for major domains such as hailing, delivery and utilities that features conversion capability for diverse customer needs. This emergence of customized business fleets and PBV-specific solutions means less downtime and enhanced cost-effectiveness.
Phase two will see the completion of the dedicated PBV model line-up, and PBVs will evolve into AI-based mobility platforms that use data to interact with users and ensure that the vehicles are always up to date.
In phase three, Kia PBVs will evolve into highly customizable, bespoke mobility solutions by integrating with the future mobility ecosystem. This is where Kia PBVs will ultimately become life platforms that turn any inspiration into reality. Connected self-driving vehicles will be managed as part of a single smart city operating system, the company release added.
