Kia will dedicate a new factory to the production of modular electric utility vehicles. The South Korean manufacturer intends to become the world leader in this new segment and will therefore offer vehicles of this type in Europe.
The South Korean group Hyundai intends to rush into the breach opened up by the development of electric, autonomous and connected cars to win new market shares, particularly in Europe and in the utility vehicle segment. More specifically, it plans to launch an offensive of modular vehicles that can be adapted to very specific needs (goods transport, car-sharing, robotaxis, etc.), a new type of utility called PBV (purpose-built vehicles, or vehicles for specific use). Its Kia brand wants to be the world leader in this sector by 2030.
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A platform dedicated to electric utilities
Kia will build a fourth plant in Hwaseong, the brand’s first home-based production center for twenty-five years, and these facilities will be dedicated to the assembly of modular utilities. The firm’s first PBV will be based on the Niro Plus, an enlarged version of the first-generation e-Niro currently in development. Then the Hyundai group will use a dedicated architecture called IMA for its PBVs (Integrated Modular Architecture), derived from the E-GMP platform of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Batteries and motors will be standardized, while the chassis will be able to accommodate a wide variety of bodies and cabins.
Modular utilities for all segments
Kia plans to launch its first non-passenger-derived PBV in 2025. It will be a mid-size vehicle. The company promises a durability of 600,000 km and continuous feature enhancement through remote updates. ” As the PBV market grows, Kia plans to expand its range from smaller vehicles to larger ones that can offer alternatives to public transport or even be used as mobile offices. “, announces the manufacturer. Details specific to the European offering have yet to be released.
Source: Kia, The Korean Car Blog
