Kia takes aim at European van market

Kia will launch its first electric Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV) van model in Europe next year, the PV5, with high hopes for the futuristic solution.

The PBV range was first teased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in January this year, with the firm showcasing three modular and highly customisable models; the sub-compact PV1, midsize PV5 and large PV7.

The PBV launch in Europe will mark the first time the Korean manufacturer has offered a commercial vehicle range there, but the firm is confident.

Kia says its new dedicated factory for the PBV range in Korea will be capable of producing 150,000 units per year when production kicks off in 2025, with the potential to expand as demand grows.

Currently the top three selling van models in Europe are the Ford Transit, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Renault Kangoo, all of which already have an electric variant available. However, Kia is still confident in its ability to take the fight to existing leaders, aiming to offer strong range, value and customisability in its PBV models.

Undoubtedly, the Kia will have to compete on price, too, but the manufacturer has not provided an indication of where the model will sit compared with its competitors. What Kia has said though, according to an Automotive News Europe report, is that it is exploring the use of lithium iron phosphate battery technology to bring down costs.

While there are no concrete plans for the PBV range in Australia, Kia Australia expressed interest in expanding its new energy vehicle (NEV) range earlier this year.

“The PBV concepts fall under the greater ‘Plan S’ strategy, and I think we’ve always been pretty vocal about Australia’s support for the global planning strategy,” said Kia Australia general manager of product planning Roland Rivero recently.

“We do have our hand up for the body styles we believe will be right for our market and more information will be provided on that in due course.”

When Kia showcased the PBV models at CES, it outlined a three-stage plan for their introduction, starting with the PV5 van and ending with ‘life platforms’ with self-driving possibilities.

For stage one, Kia said it will introduce the PV5 in Basic, Van, High Roof and Cab-Chassis variants, for use in delivery and fleet applications. Stage two will include the rollout of PV1 and large PV7 models, with more AI functionality. The third stage is all very futuristic, with Kia suggesting the PBV’s will become ‘life platforms’ that operate themselves. 

“Kia PBVs will initiate a new era of seamless everyday business and lifestyle solutions,” said Kia Global Design executive vice president Karim Habib.

“We hope to make our customers’ lives easier and better, whether they’re stationary or on the move, offering exceptional flexibility and customisation through radical modularisation.

“Untethered to any fixed place, and unbounded by the traditional restrictions of space, Kia PBVs offer users a blank canvas to reimagine their lifestyles and workstyles.”