Kia has revealed 4 ideas that preview the corporate’s future purpose-built automobile vary, with the primary mannequin to enter mass manufacturing in 2025.
The corporate is looking them Platform Past Automobiles (PBVs), and so they’ll all be extremely customisable for companies. Kia will preview them at CES 2024 this week in Las Vegas.
Kia will break down its PBV rollout into three phases. The primary two automobiles on this quartet, a individuals mover and a load provider, might be badged PV5 and launch as a part of this primary section.
These PV5 fashions will see the manufacturing line first in 2025 and can provide a selection of primary, high-roof and cab-chassis physique types, relying on the variant.
The PV1 and PV7 will comply with afterwards. Kia has but to element the timing for these fashions however has confirmed they are going to be part of its section two rollout.
All of the automobiles will function fleet-based knowledge software program which is able to permit companies to handle their respective fleets utilizing gross sales, stock and supply knowledge. Kia additionally says the automobiles’ AI software program will be capable of adapt to the motive force’s preferences and routines to create a extra private and environment friendly expertise.
The PBV line-up will provide Car-to-All the pieces expertise (V2X) which permits drivers to energy cellphones and emergency gear whereas out on route.
Kia has designed the automobiles to be extremely adaptable to a number of makes use of throughout their lifetime. For instance, the PV5 can convert from a passenger journey share or individuals mover to a industrial cargo van with using “life modules”.
These will permit elements to be moved round and eliminated if crucial utilizing hybrid electromagnetic and mechanical coupling expertise.
Kia has designed and constructed the ideas to characteristic a “dynamic hybrid” physique construction which it says will see a discount of 55 elements throughout manufacturing, and but the corporate says this received’t have an effect on the rigidity of the automobiles.
Alongside the discount of elements, Kia claims the PBVs will characteristic intensive use of supplies corresponding to bio plastic, Publish Shopper Materials (PCM) plastic, bio paint, recycled PET material, felt and yarns, and bio-PU foam.
Kia says the primary section of its rollout will see the introduction of the PV5, which is focused primarily at rideshare, supply operations and utility companies.
The automobiles might be in-built a devoted plant in Autoland Hwaseong, South Korea.
The manufacturing facility might be operational in 2025 and has a most manufacturing capability of 150,000 models yearly.
The PV5’s design presents massive sliding aspect doorways and rear barn doorways which Kia says will permit for straightforward loading and unloading of cargo or individuals. The electrical automobile platform offers a flat cargo space and prolonged wheelbase for optimum cargo capability.
Up entrance, the motive force receives a dashboard that provides a “desk-like floor” if the motive force folds down the steering wheel. As soon as folded down Kia says the steering wheel will act like a desk lamp creating an “office-like surroundings”.
Kia will launch the remaining two fashions through the second section of its rollout.
The PV1 would be the smallest mannequin within the line-up and be primarily used for short-distance logistics transportation. Within the photographs provided by Kia, it seems the entrance wheels will be capable of rotate nearly 90 levels for a tighter turning circle and larger manoeuvrability.
The PV7 would be the largest automobile throughout the line-up and boast probably the most cargo house and largest batteries, whereas providing enhanced functionalities which Kia has but to element.
Kia says that as a part of section two, its PBVs will evolve into “AI-based mobility platforms” that can gather knowledge primarily based on the automobile’s interactions and use it to work together with the motive force and make sure the automobile’s methods are saved updated.
The corporate additionally claims the software program will finally be capable of work together with robotics sooner or later. This software can be utilized, for instance, for restocking the automobile at a warehouse.
Kia will even introduce a ‘modularity system’, the place PBVs will characteristic rails on the ceiling, flooring and aspect panels to permit for simpler loading and unloading of cargo.
The Korean carmaker will introduce self-driving capabilities as a part of a 3rd section in its PBV rollout.
The model, working with Motional (a three way partnership between HMG and Aptiv), will create a PV5 Robotaxi.
It is going to develop software program utilizing Motional’s superior Degree 4 autonomous driving expertise.
Kia has already established partnerships with firms like Uber, Coupang, CJ Logistics, Kakao Mobility, and Dubai Taxi Company to additional improve its PBV-dedicated enterprise system.
