Kia targets ride-hailing and last-mile delivery markets with new PBVs

Kia will begin production of its new purpose built vehicles (PBVs) in 2025, offering a suite of custom vehicles that utlise an electric skateboard platform.

Kia plans to show SW, the first model in the company’s dedicated PBV line-up, in 2025. The model will be a mid-sized PBV and will be based on the “eS” platform, a dedicated skateboard platform for battery electric PBVs, enabling various types of vehicle bodies to be flexibly combined.

SW has been developed to respond to various business demands such as delivery, ride hailing, and business-to-business (B2B) transactions thanks to its excellent load structure and spacious indoor space that reaches the height of an adult.

After launching the mid-sized SW PBV, Kia plans to expand its product line-up to large-sized PBVs that can be used for logistics, fresh food delivery, multi-seat shuttles, and mobile offices and stores as well as small-sized PBVs and mid-sized robotaxis applied with autonomous driving technology.

Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song, said: "Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Hyundai MOBIS together plan to invest KRW 24 trillion [£14.5bn] in the domestic electric vehicle industry by 2030, with the goal of making South Korea one of the top three players in the global EV market. Our focus is to enhance the competitiveness of the entire electric vehicle ecosystem, including research and development, production, and infrastructure, and to lead the way in driving change and innovation in the new global automotive industry."

A new factory will be ready to start mass-production of PBVs in the second half of 2025. Kia plans to produce 150,000 units in the first full year, with the potential to expand in line with future market conditions. 

To achieve its aim of 4m vehicle sales in 2030, a 27% per cent increase on its target for 2022, Kia will expand sales of eco-friendly vehicles (including EVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) from 17% of global sales in 2022 to 52% in 2030.

It will also launch at least two EVs per year and build a full line-up of 14 EVs by 2027.

Kia will add two electric pick-up trucks – a dedicated electric pickup truck and a strategic model for emerging markets – and an entry-level BEV model.