Kia debuted five differently sized vehicles at CES 2024, showcasing a new lineup of modular vehicles to suit a wide range of use cases.
Take a good look at these images, as they offer a glimpse into the future — at least, that’s what Kia announced at this year’s CES event in Las Vegas. The automaker made its big reveal alongside some other noteworthy technological showcases, with modularity being the headline feature of their “Platform Beyond Vehicle”, or PBV.
“Vehicle” doesn’t quite cover it, since we’re not just talking about a single model. Instead, Kia brought along five different PBV models of various sizes to bring home the notion of right-sized, van-like cars that offer “exceptional flexibility” in the least amount of physical space for different applications. “Kia PBVs are intended to be a total mobility solution,” the company says, “that combimes fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions based no the Hyundai Motor Group’s software-to-everything (SDx) strategy. [PBVs] are designed to open the door to new businesses and lifestyles by redefining the concept of space thanks to advanced, tailored interiors that provide freedom and flexibility.”
Cutting to the chase, Kia clearly wants a piece of the commercial and lifestyle van market to compete against the likes of Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Rivian. The company plans to roll out the PBV range in three phases, starting with the midsize option, the PV5. From there, it will launch the rest of the lineup moving down to the PV1 and up to the largest PV7 and provide its customers a fleet management software solution.
One of the PBV’s special tricks, though, is the range of “life modules”, or interchangeable upper bodies that Kia says uses hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling technology to swap out. That way, the PBV can be a taxi, a delivery vehicle, a personal RV on the weekends, or really whatever you need it to be. At least, that’s the main pitch at CES.
“The design of Kia’s PBVs is inspired by robust, simple and clever tools and goes beyond mere aesthetics. Kia’s mission is to design PBVs that are simple and intuitive to operate and engage with, regardless of where, when and how they are used,” the company further said in its statement. To that end, each model has a fixed cab called a “driver zone” that doesn’t change, but every thing behind that can be altered using the brand’s modular body setup. Each PBV uses a rail system on the floor, the ceiling and the walls to move storage systems between modules or entire vehicles. The weldless body structures will be shipped in kit form to facilitate “quick and simple in-fiend transformation of a Kia PV5.”
Will Kia’s PBV lineup actually go into production?
While you typically see some outlandish concepts at any industry show, Kia is actually taking steps to put the PBV into production. It’s building a dedicated plant at Autoland Hwaseong in Korea, scheduled to become operational in 2025. That plant, the automaker says, will use a “hybrid production approach” of conveyor and cell-based methods to facilitate building the PBVs’ chassis elements as well as the swappable modules. It will also work with conversion partners to build out a range of aftermarket units, beyond whatever OEM options you’ll have when these vehicles actually hit the market.
When it’s fully up and running, Kia aims to build 150,000 PBV units annually. The PV7 will offer the largest platform, of course, with the most interior space and the largest battery pack. At the other end, the PV1 looks like more of a personal runabout, with a smaller footprint for more easily tackling the urban beat.
We don’t yet know whether Kia will actually sell the PBV lineup in the U.S. or how much it will cost. Nevertheless, it makes a fair amount of sense given the rivals like Rivian’s ECV, which can now be ordered by companies outside Amazon, and Ford Pro — the Blue Oval’s expansive commercial van, truck and fleet management division.
It’s likely Kia will announce more specific information over the next couple years leading up to the launch date, so we’ll be sure to update you with any new announcements.
For now, Kia only offers one van in North America with the Carnival, which you can check out below:
