Kia to start selling PBV in Japan in 2026

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

It says that expanding into the Japanese market is a key pillar of PBV’s strategy and that it aims to develop a range of vehicles designed to meet the specific needs of the Japanese market. It plans to launch its first PBV model. PV5It will be launched in Japan in early 2026. This mid-range model will meet the scalability of various workflows in Japan.

This model will be followed by the PV7, which will join a PBV ecosystem created through collaborations and partnerships with various local companies. The PBV models will also come with Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced software solutions based on software-defined everything, allowing users to tailor product features to their specific needs, allowing them to specify vehicle factors such as seating arrangement, luggage compartment shape, door options and battery capacity.

Kia says this flexibility will enable its PBVs to significantly increase their cost-competitiveness and deliver greater value to their customers, while also opening doors to new businesses by redefining the concept of space through advanced, personalized interiors.

The company is currently building a new state-of-the-art EVO Factory at its Autoland facility in Hwaseong, Korea, which will be the brand’s first PBV EV-specific production facility.