Kia on the 26th at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show, which opened at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO), unveiled three new PV5 lineup models and industry-tailored collaboration models, presenting its vision to expand electrified mobility through PBVs (purpose-built vehicles).
President Song Ho-sung said at the press day event, "Kia is accelerating its transition into a personalized mobility brand through the PV5," adding, "We will expand beyond the boundaries of the commercial-vehicle market to a platform rather than a vehicle."
The idea is to make the PV series not just simple commercial vehicles but a customizable platform where customers can configure space and software to meet diverse needs, including passenger, logistics, retail, and leisure.
◇ New PV5 lineup to meet diverse demand… "Including the PV7 and PV9 to be launched, we will offer more than 40 variants"
The vision Song presented was evident in the new PV5 lineup revealed that day. The seven-seat PV5 Passenger features a 2-2-3 seat layout that improves third-row ingress and egress convenience, addressing demand for multi-passenger mobility services such as rental cars and shuttle buses.
The PV5 Prime is a premium conversion model featuring independent rear seats, rails, and ventilated seats. Exclusive exterior colors, black skid plates, and dedicated emblems add an upscale image.
The PV5 Cargo High Roof raises interior height by 295 mm compared with the existing Cargo Long and targets parcel and bulky cargo delivery demand by offering as an option a "walk-through" feature that allows free movement between the driver's seat and the work area.
Kia also showcased industry-specific collaboration models based on the PV5. The "AI patrol car," developed with the Korean National Police Agency, mounts three AI (artificial intelligence) cameras and a drone station on the vehicle roof to support coordinated ground and aerial patrols. The "mobile pet pop-up store," developed with pet platform Fitpet, adopts a side-opening design to make product comparison and hands-on experiences easier.
The "mobile bank," developed with KC Motors, is a special-purpose vehicle conceived as a mobile office with a rotating desk and additional batteries. Also unveiled were a "bike transport vehicle" in partnership with Ducati Korea, a "children's school bus" developed with iBUS, and an "ice cream truck" produced by PRIMO.
Following the PV5, Kia plans to sequentially introduce the PV7 and PV9, configuring a total of more than 40 body types. Through this, the company aims to offer mobility solutions that better fit a wider range of customer needs.
Chief Executive Song said, "PBVs are a game changer," adding, "The traditional commercial-vehicle market was far from 'customer-centric,' so buyers had to purchase a vehicle and then take it to a separate conversion shop; this new concept resolves such inconvenience, and the United States and Europe are also valuing this highly."
Song also said, "We will embed personalized mobility experiences in all services we offer going forward so customers feel the brand understands them."
◇ EREV and SDV in the works… "Proactively preparing for changes in the mobility industry"
Kia is also preparing to launch extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and software-defined vehicles (SDVs). The aim is to offer a variety of models that meet individual needs while responding to future industry changes.
Song said, "We plan to develop SDVs by applying a next-generation architecture in 2027," adding, "With data-processing capabilities and standardized sensors, we will expand autonomous driving functions by a notch through effective data collection and utilization, and by early 2029 we will implement Level 2 Plus Plus capable of urban driving."
Regarding the launch of EREVs, Song said, "The (EREV market) is being prepared mainly for large vehicles," adding, "We are preparing with the U.S. market as the target in the future." He also said of the U.S. pickup truck market, "We are preparing."
Kia said it plans to respond flexibly to demand by market. Song said, "In the United States, demand for hybrids is rising sharply," adding, "We are focusing on producing the Sportage Hybrid (in the United States), but if demand grows to the point where additional models are needed, we will consider adding them."
Regarding the European market, Song said, "In Europe, demand for electric vehicles is rising sharply," adding, "Europe is imposing additional tariffs on imported electric vehicles, which is acting to curb rapid market growth, but demand for EVs remains solid given high oil prices, among other factors." He added that despite the offensive by Chinese companies in Europe, Kia is growing in the market.