Kia is accelerating its entry into the personalized mobility market with a two-track strategy that includes advanced production technology at its purpose-built vehicle (PBV) dedicated smart factory and the production of customized conversion models.
On September 9, Kia announced that it held a PBV production hub tech day at AutoLand Hwaseong in Gyeonggi Province the previous day. The event's slogan was, 'Where all possibilities begin, Kia PBV production hub.'
During the event, Kia presented various advancements, including robotics technology applied across assembly, logistics, and inspection processes; a data-driven quality management system; a dedicated development system for conversion linked to base vehicle development; the current status of PBV conversion center operations; and support measures for external specialty vehicle manufacturers.
The PV5 has sold over 39,000 units globally as of last month, demonstrating Kia's vision for personalized mobility. Despite entering the competitive European light commercial vehicle market as a latecomer, inquiries about the large electrified PBV model 'PV7,' set to launch next year, continue to grow.
AutoLand Hwaseong will also be responsible for the production of the PV7 and PV9. Kia plans to establish itself as a PBV production hub that provides high-quality, customized vehicles based on advanced production technology and a flexible conversion system.
Kia is implementing a multi-model flexible production system, optimal automation systems, and a data-driven next-generation quality management system at its PBV dedicated factory, 'Hwaseong EVO Plant.' This approach aims to effectively respond to the diverse PBV demands based on customers' various purposes and usage environments.
Soeun Young, Executive Director of Kia's AutoLand Hwaseong plant, stated, "AutoLand Hwaseong is more than just a vehicle manufacturing plant; it is a PBV production hub that realizes the diverse ideas and needs of customers and partners into mobility solutions. We will continue to enhance smart manufacturing technologies and the conversion ecosystem to provide customers with broader choices and create various possibilities in mobility with our partners."
Meanwhile, Kia will unveil the PV7 for the first time at the 'IAA Transportation 2026' event in Hanover, Germany, on September 14.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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