South Korean automaker Kia Corporation, part of Hyundai Motor Group, has announced that it has signed an agreement to supply battery-powered vans based on its Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) platform to DHL Korea Ltd – the local unit of the global logistics giant DHL.
Kia is currently building a factory in South Korea’s Gyeonggi province to produce battery-powered PBVs from 2026, which it originally called “purpose-built vehicles.” The plant will have an initial production capacity of 150,000 PBVs per year and will be equipped with next-generation environmentally friendly production technologies, including Hyundai Motor Group’s E-Forest digital production systems and cellular manufacturing – which “enable car production based on diverse customer demands” .
Under the agreement, Kia will develop PBVs specifically designed for DHL Korea’s business needs. The first model, the mid-sized PV5, will go into production in 2026. The model range will be expanded in 2027 with the larger PV7.
Kia stated that the agreement with DHL Korea will provide the company with a platform to establish a “sustainable logistics ecosystem” for last-mile deliveries, based on its PBV models. This also includes charging networks and service guarantees.
It is expected that other logistics partners will join in the coming months. The automaker confirmed that it plans to “expand its PBV-related collaboration with a variety of third-party partners to provide total mobility solutions for its customers.” Ultimately, Kia wants to expand its collaboration with PBV partners to other markets, including Asia and Europe.
Won-Jeong Jeong, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia’s Korea Business Division, said in a statement: “Kia plans to improve customers’ business productivity by providing PBV models optimized for DHL Korea’s operations, and by working as a partner that actively supports electrification. achieving sustainable logistics transport using PBVs.”
What is a PBV?
Kia describes its PBV concept as a range of electric vans with multiple applications – personal and business – based on a vehicle design approach that draws on commercial vehicle technology.
From electric light commercial vehicles (LCVs) to passenger transport, the brand claims its PBV Concept offers advanced mobility and software solutions for both business and personal use.
It says that the PBV Concept ‘goes far beyond the existing conventions of modern commercial vehicles’. Using commercial vehicle technology and advanced software solutions, Kia maintains its electric PBV vans that offer configuration flexibility for different profiles, layouts and interiors depending on personal or business needs.
