Kia Motors has announced ambitious plans to redefine personal mobility with its “Platform Beyond Vehicle” vision, which will debut at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.
The automaker said its PBV lineup, now standing for “Platform Beyond Vehicle,” will go beyond vehicles to become total mobility solutions. These will integrate purpose-built EVs, advanced software, and open integration platforms to enable new business models, services, and lifestyles.
Kia’s CES exhibition on January 9-12 will feature five PBV concept models, including the first one scheduled for mass production in 2025. New “dynamic hybrid” modularization technologies like Easy Swap will be displayed, demonstrating how payloads and interiors can adapt via swappable modules managed by integrated software.
Executives will elaborate on the strategy to globally launch these highly customizable PBV platforms in business-focused CES keynotes and presentations. Kia also plans to leverage Hyundai’s software capabilities and enable third-party services through open integration platforms and partnerships.
Alongside the PBV showcase, Kia will exhibit four EV models representing its “EVs for All” vision of lifestyle-friendly electric mobility for mainstream consumers. These will include the new EV3 and EV4 concepts revealed at CES 2024, plus the recent EV9 SUV and high-performance EV6 GT.
With flexible PBVs tailored for commercial clients combined with a growing range of affordable consumer EVs, Kia is showcasing its ambition to lead sustainable and innovative mobility solutions.
Our Thoughts
It’s refreshing to see auto companies like Kia taking risks with bold design and charging forward with their EV development. Rather than sticking to tried and true models, Kia is pushing boundaries with concepts like the Platform Beyond Vehicles unveiled at CES 2024. This modularity shows ambition to adapt to customer needs through integrated software ecosystems. More automakers should emulate this kind of innovative spirit to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility.