Kia Corporation has announced the commencement of sales of its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) models in Japan in early 2026. Expansion into the Japanese market signifies the latest key pillar of Kia’s global PBV strategy, following presentations of the brand’s PBV concept models and PBV business ecosystem at CES 2024 in Las Vegas in North America, the Busan Mobility Show in Korea and IAA 2024 earlier this month in Europe.
Kia will develop a range of PBVs specifically to meet customers' needs in the Japanese market. The brand will unveil its first PBV model, the PV5, in the year 2026. Revealed at CES in Las Vegas in January in PV5 Concept guise, the vehicle is being developed as a mid-size model to meet the scalability of various business streams in the Japanese market. Kia also aims to create a PBV ecosystem through cooperation and collaboration with local companies. The Kia PV7 will follow the launch of the PV5 in Japan.
Adopting a devoted PBV platform permits users to set product specifications according to their specific needs, with a choice to decide factors such as seating layout, luggage compartment shape, door options, battery capacity, and more. Kia’s PBV total mobility solution combines fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions based on Hyundai Motor Group’s software-defined everything or SDx strategy.
As a Platform Beyond Vehicle, Kia PBVs allow existing businesses to significantly improve cost-competitiveness and deliver greater value to customers through bespoke product solutions, while opening the door to new companies by redefining the concept of space thanks to advanced, tailored interiors that provide ultimate freedom and flexibility.
To build a PBV ecosystem that meets customers' needs as effectively as possible, Kia has entered a tactical partnership with Japanese trading company Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz) Engaged in a wide range of businesses globally, which includes transportation and infrastructure, Sojitz is ideally positioned to serve as the distributor for Kia PBVs in Japan.
Before commencing PBV sales in Japan in early 2026, Kia will continue to showcase its PBV models and PBV business ecosystem at mobility shows, and by creating offline opportunities for customers to experience the brand's PBV technology in person.
To meet global demand for its PBVs, Kia is building a new state-of-the-art 'EVO Plant'. Located within the brand's Autoland facility in Hwaseong, Korea, the plant is Kia's first PBV EV-dedicated manufacturing facility.
Sangdae Kim, Senior Vice-President and Head of Kia PBV Business Division commented: “We look forward to commencing PBV sales and delivering customer-centered value with the evolution of Kia’s business in the Japanese market. We will continue introducing various PBV-related solutions optimized for local-market characteristics to satisfy the demands of our Japanese customers”