Kia to Start Selling PBV in Japan in 2026

• Kia to develop PBVs for Japanese market
• The PV5 is expected to go on sale in Japan in 2026, followed by the PV7 and other PBV models and variants
• Kia will be a partner Sojitz Corporation for PBV distribution in Japan

Kia Corporation (Kia) today announced that sales of its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) models will begin in Japan in early 2026.

The latest pillar of Kia’s global PBV strategy is the expansion into the Japanese market, following the unveiling of the brand’s PBV concept models and PBV business ecosystem at CES 2024 in Las Vegas in North America, the Busan Mobility Show in Korea and the IAA in Europe.

Kia will develop a range of PBVs specifically to meet the needs of customers in the Japanese market. The brand will launch its first PBV model, the PV5, in early 2026. Unveiled in January at CES in Las Vegas in the guise of the PV5 Concept, the vehicle Developed as a mid-range model to meet scalability Various business lines in the Japanese market

Kia also plans to create a PBV ecosystem through collaborations and partnerships with various local companiesThe Kia PV7 will follow the launch of the PV5 in Japan.

Sangdae Kim, Senior Vice President and President of Kia PBV Business Unit, said: “We look forward to starting PBV sales and delivering customer-centric value with the evolution of Kia’s business in the Japanese market. We will continue to offer various PBV-related solutions optimized for local market characteristics to meet the demands of our Japanese customers.”

Kia’s PBV total mobility solution combines purpose-built EVs with advanced software solutions based on Hyundai Motor Group’s software-defined everything – or SDx – strategy. Adopting a dedicated PBV platform allows users to tailor product features to their specific needs, with increased freedom to determine factors such as seating layout, luggage compartment shape, door options, battery capacity and more.

As a Platform More Than a Vehicle, Kia PBVs enable existing businesses to significantly increase their cost competitiveness and deliver greater value to customers through tailored product solutions, while also opening doors for new businesses by redefining the concept of space by providing ultimate freedom and flexibility through advanced, personalized interiors.

To establish a PBV ecosystem that meets customers’ needs as effectively as possible, Kia has entered into a strategic partnership with the Japanese trading company Sojitz Corporation (Sojitz) With a diverse global footprint including transportation and infrastructure, Sojitz is ideally positioned to serve as a distributor of Kia PBVs in Japan.

Before Kia begins PBV sales in Japan in early 2026, it will continue to showcase its PBV models and PBV business ecosystem at mobility exhibitions and create offline opportunities for customers to experience the brand’s PBV technology in person.

To meet global demand for its PBVs, Kia is currently building a new state-of-the-art ‘EVO Factory’. Located at the brand’s Autoland facility in Hwaseong, Korea, the factory is Kia’s first PBV EV-specific production facility.