'The Kia PV5' is rapidly expanding its model lineup. PBV for transportation-vulnerable people and small business owners, WAV open-bed passenger donor models have been launched.
Kia said it will start contracts for the 'The Kia PV5 WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, hereinafter PV5 WAV),' specialized for transporting wheelchair passengers, and the small commercial model 'The Kia PV5 Open Bed (hereinafter PV5 Open Bed),' which maximizes logistics work efficiency, and the conversion-optimized 'The Kia PV5 Passenger donor model (2-3-0 base, hereinafter PV5 Passenger donor model)' starting on the 28th. A donor model is a conversion-only model that refers to an incomplete vehicle that a conversion company sells directly to consumers after completing special-purpose modification/certification.
The PV5 WAV reflects Kia's will to provide better freedom of movement and, to enable convenient and safe movement for wheelchair-using passengers, applied a side-entry method for the first time in a domestic electric vehicle. Existing special-purpose vehicles that board via rear luggage space sometimes required wheelchair passengers to descend from the sidewalk to the roadway, causing inconvenience.
Kia equipped the PV5 WAV with a side sliding door securing a wide 775mm opening to improve this, and made wheelchair passenger entry from the sidewalk possible through a 'manual in-floor two-step slope.' The manual in-floor two-step slope can adjust length to one or two steps depending on boarding conditions, secures an effective width of 740mm that allows manual/electric wheelchairs recommended by the Korean Industrial Standards (KS), and supports a maximum load of 300kg. When not in use, it can be stored under the interior floor to reduce the hassle of installation and removal and does not require a separate space for slope mounting, allowing broader use of the interior.
The PV5 WAV helps ensure safe movement of wheelchair passengers with wheelchair front and rear restraints and a three-point seat belt for wheelchair passengers. The PV5 WAV rear seat is equipped with a 6:4 cushion tip-up seat with folding and reclining functions so that the right seat can be folded up to allow a wheelchair passenger to board and a companion can sit side by side on the left seat, and it also features manual air conditioning and a rear-seat conversation mode.
The PV5 WAV's selling price is 53 million won before tax benefits, based on an individual consumption tax of 3.5%. Considering electric vehicle tax benefits and government and local government subsidies, it is expected to be purchasable at 42.68 million won based on Seoul. (※ Includes an additional support payment of 2 million won for installing wheelchair boarding equipment that supports transportation-vulnerable people; does not include additional support payments for first-time young buyers/households below the near-poverty line, etc.)
Kia's next-generation small commercial model PV5 Open Bed, which maximizes logistics work efficiency, was also launched that day.
The PV5 Open Bed is characterized by safety and convenience features comparable to passenger models, along with various specifications that enhance the usability of the cargo bed.
Kia installed a 'one-touch type hidden deck gate lock lever' on the rear deck gate of the PV5 Open Bed to provide convenient operation and prevent rust on the lock lever hook, and applied side/rear steps and a foldable auxiliary step on the inner side of the rear deck gate so users can easily climb up and down whether the cargo bed is closed or open. To make the cargo bed easy to open and close, aluminum material treated with an anodizing process was used instead of heavy steel, creating light and corrosion-resistant side and rear deck gates.
The PV5 Open Bed applies a large number of safety and convenience features that differentiate it from existing small commercial models. Considering driver safety, it comes standard with seven airbags as well as forward collision-avoidance assist, navigation-based smart cruise control, lane keep assist 2, highway driving assist, and steering wheel grip detection. In addition, it offers interior/exterior V2L, a 12.9-inch PBV-dedicated infotainment system, surround view monitor, rear side monitor, electronic shift gear, Kia digital key 2 touch, and a 100W C-type charging port to provide a comfortable work environment for customers.
The PV5 Open Bed's selling prices are 43.45 million won for Basic Standard, 46.15 million won for Basic Long Range, 46.95 million won for Plus Standard, and 49.65 million won for Plus Long Range.
Considering electric vehicle tax benefits and government and local government subsidies, it is expected that, based on Seoul, the purchase prices could be around 29.95 million won for Basic Standard, 30.70 million won for Basic Long Range, 33.45 million won for Plus Standard, and 34.20 million won for Plus Long Range. (※ Does not include additional support payments for small business owners/households below the near-poverty line, agricultural purchasers, etc.)
Kia also began contracts for the PV5 passenger donor model equipped with conversion-optimized specifications so that businesses can modify vehicles to suit various types of business.
Kia planned the PV5 passenger donor model to optimize resource use and improve work convenience and efficiency by reducing steps in which conversion companies remove and discard parts. Accordingly, the PV5 passenger donor model is shipped without unnecessary parts during the conversion process, such as the second-row seats and third-row luggage board, based on the 5-seat passenger (2-3-0).
The PV5 passenger donor model comes standard with conversion-optimized dedicated specifications such as a 'joint block' that allows easy connection of 12V power to additional electrical products and a 'PIM (PBV Interface Moduler) controller' that enables vehicle data transmission/reception and control of external electrical products through the in-vehicle infotainment system (IVI), allowing conversion companies to perform work more easily and stably.
The PV5 passenger donor model's selling price is 49.9 million won.
The PV5 passenger donor model will be sold to customers after conversion companies complete conversion and certification, and electric vehicle tax benefits and government and local government subsidies will be reflected at the time the customer purchases the new vehicle.
Meanwhile, Kia will carry out various marketing activities to commemorate the launch of the three PV5 models.
Kia will launch a digital advertising campaign to promote the value of the PV5 WAV starting on the 28th. This campaign will deliver the PV5's 'one space, infinite life' message together with Park Soo-bin, co-CEO and founder of the 'Stair breaker club.' In particular, a lecture on a new communication method that connects the value of the PV5 WAV with transportation-vulnerable people, featuring communication expert instructor Kim Chang-ok and CEO Park Soo-bin, will be later released on instructor Kim Chang-ok's YouTube channel. In addition, Kia will provide the PV5 WAV to Dplus Kia player Kwon Jae-hyuk, an esports player sponsored as a naming sponsor, and will release a campaign video showing Kwon Jae-hyuk pursuing his dreams with the PV5 WAV.
Kia is also introducing customized financing programs for customers purchasing the PV5 passenger 5-seat (2-3-0), WAV, cargo long, and Open Bed.
Kia domestic business division head Vice President Jung Won-jung said, The PV5 WAV, Open Bed and passenger donor model are innovative solutions to guarantee freedom of movement for everyone, including transportation-vulnerable people, and to realize true coexistence with conversion companies, and said the company will provide various conversion solutions under the PBV definition 'Platform Beyond Vehicle' to build a sustainable PBV ecosystem.
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