The brand’s first ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ is expected to be a mid-sized vehicle with Level 4 autonomous tech
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by Brad Anderson
3 hours ago
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Kia will unveil several new concept vehicles at January’s CES 2024 event in Las Vegas that will form part of its new global PBV business.
The company’s plans to introduce a series of “purpose-built vehicles” (PBV) were first announced early last year. Kia now says it’s redefining the term PBV to “Platform Beyond Vehicle”, and at CES will introduce the future PBV lineup. A host of keynote speakers will provide details on its ‘Easy Swap and Dynamic Hybrid’ modularization technologies.
No less than five PBV concept EVs will be showcased, with the first model scheduled for mass production in 2025. Reports last year suggested that this first PBV model is codenamed SW and will be a mid-sized vehicle.
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Other PBVs being developed by Kia are believed to include a micro PBV created for robo-deliveries and two versions of the mid-size model targeting ride-hailing delivery and robo-taxi services. Kia is also working on a large PBV for cargo and shuttle services. All vehicles will be based on the company’s eS skateboard platform and are expected to arrive with Level 4 autonomous driving technologies.
Read: Kia Confirms New Korean Factory For Electric Purpose-Built Vehicles
“The Kia PBV exhibition will feature five concept models, including its first PBV scheduled for mass production starting in 2025, a range of Kia-exclusive PBV technology, and a PBV-dedicated presentation and demonstration highlighting the company’s software-defined vehicle strategy and plans for partnership integration,” Kia said in a press release.
In addition to showcasing its new PBV models at CES, Kia will also display the EV3 and EV4 concept cars as well as the new EV9 and EV6 GT.
