Kia introduced the completion of the primary section of its much-anticipated Platform Past Car (PBV) manufacturing facility, recognized formally because the EVO Plant, in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. The automaker mentioned the ability, as soon as absolutely accomplished, is predicted to turn into a serious hub for PBV manufacturing, with an annual capability of 250,000 models.
The plant consists of two elements — the EVO Plant East and EVO Plant West. Kia held a completion ceremony for the east plant and a groundbreaking ceremony for the west constructing on the identical day.
The PBV is a sort of modular electrical car with a versatile chassis, so customers can change the physique of the car consistent with their driving goal.
The west plant is scheduled to start out operations in 2027. Kia has secured some 300,000 sq. meters of land — roughly the scale of 42 soccer fields — for the 2 EVO crops. The carmaker will make investments some 4 trillion received ($2.73 billion) for the PBV manufacturing amenities and extra analysis for the brand new kind of automobiles.
Kia’s PV5 electrical vans are assembled on the carmaker’s EVO Plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. Courtesy of Kia
The east plant will likely be used to supply Kia’s flagship PBV — the PV5 — with an annual capability of 100,000. On the west plant, the carmaker will give attention to assembling its large-size PBV fashions — such because the PV7 — with a capability of 150,000 automobiles yearly.
“Kia is pursuing progress within the PBV enterprise by seizing alternatives within the ongoing transition to electrification within the mild business car market,” Kia CEO Music Ho-sung mentioned.
“Aligned with the federal government’s electrical car (EV) assist insurance policies, we plan to supply 2.63 million EVs in Korea between 2026 and 2030 — which accounts for 58 % of the carmaker’s deliberate world output of 4.51 million models throughout the identical interval,” he mentioned. “It will assist strengthen Korea’s industrial competitiveness.”
Hyundai Motor Group Govt Chair Chung Euisun and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok additionally joined the occasion to rejoice the completion of Kia’s PBV-dedicated plant.
The EVO crops incorporate superior manufacturing applied sciences with low-carbon processes. The amenities are additionally characterised by full automation and worker-friendly operations, in accordance with the carmaker.
A panoramic view of Kia’s EVO Plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Kia
Kia will even function the PBV Conversion Middle, so it might probably co-develop specialised PBVs with its companion companies. The power will produce personalized variations of the PV5. The carmaker plans to diversify the personalized manufacturing mannequin to the PV7 later.
Kia says the identify “EVO Plant” attracts inspiration from the phrases “evolution” and “plant,” reflecting the corporate’s dedication to advancing future mobility with an revolutionary spirit.
