KIA is one of the automotive makers that decided to have a stellar presence at CES 2024, and it did that with flying colors. They wanted to attend CES in order to show off their unique focus on EVs, but also the models that they are working on for regular users. In general, CES is full of concept cars, and that’s why having KIA showcase something that will actually be ready to purchase starting with 2026 is quite an exciting transition.
What did Kia present at CES?
Kia decided to showcase a very unique concept and idea in the form of Platform Beyond Vehicle. It’s a novel strategy because they have a set of interchangeable life modules. What that means is that a vehicle can have multiple roles, since you can transform it into a recreational vehicle, a delivery car or a taxi. You just have to switch modules. It’s definitely a creative idea and a stunning concept, yet at the same time it also conveys a great sense of power and quality.
Right now Kia did not say anything about the cost of these things. However, what we do know is that the life modules can be swapped, and you don’t have to fix them during the manufacturing process. Instead, they plan to connect the modules with the vehicle via using an electromagnetic coupling and a mechanical system. In doing that, they would have a lot more customization and still provide users with a rewarding and powerful way to fulfill their goals the way they want.
The idea of having a vehicle whose functionality can change
days or even years after purchase is a great idea. For many drivers, it can be
hard to adapt and figure out new ways to revamp a vehicle. And that’s where the
idea of having an EV shines quite a bit. Not only does it give you a tremendous
insight into the process, it also means you can adapt and optimize the car in a
creative manner.
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Why is Kia using this approach?
It can be hard to figure out the exact reason, but we can
spot a few interesting ideas here. For example, Kia wants to focus on using AI,
autonomous driving and a better software integration overall. On top of that,
they are already kickstarting the process with the Concept PV5, which is the first
car in the series. The PV5 is designed with the idea of being a fleet
workhorse. It’s made to help you deal with any mobility challenges, while
speeding up the process in a way that’s detailed and very comprehensive as
well.
Then we have the PV7, which is made to be one of the top tier options if you want more space and also the best possible range. It’s also the larger vehicle out of the bunch, but it certainly helps add a unique range of ideas, while implementing a very comprehensive set of solutions in place as well.
Of course, they also went with the PV1 which is the smallest
car. Unlike the PV7 which is meant to be very large, this one is designed with
a small form factor in mind and for a very good reason. You are meant to use it
for short distance transportation, and it works extremely well. It also does a
great job when it comes to parking, since it allows you to enter and even stay
in narrow spaces without a problem.
Needless to say, a vehicle with such a small form factor is
ideal for urban environments. After all, in these locations you have a very
limited space, and you have to make the most out of what you get. Plus, the PV1
is very easy to maneuver, so even in a small amount of space you can do quite a
lot with this one.
It’s just the beginning of Kia’s strategy
It seems that at first, the company tries to create and sell
as many of these modular EVs as possible. The concepts look great, and they do
convey a very interesting, unique style along with stunning visuals. However,
it seems that during the second phase, things will become even more
interesting. The PBV lineup will start using AI that helps harness data and
better interact with users.
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It will also help ensure that the software and devices are
all up to date. That means there will be a very comprehensive, powerful system
that focuses on automation and implementing the best features to help add to
the process as a whole. Then the third phase will include the addition of
autonomous driving, among other similar solutions. We can expect these things
to appear down the line, but it’s great to see that Kia has a plan, and it’s
something everyone should check out!
How many of these PBV vehicles will we see from Kia?
At this time, kia plans to create 150000 vehicles per year until 2025. Then the production could double and reach 300000 vehicles per year. It’s clear that Kia plans to focus on EVs for the future, and their unique platform is something unheard of. We should also note the fact that Kia has not been a part of CES for multiple years, so they are coming back with a bang and a rather unique set of vehicles. They do an excellent job at not only offering a creative approach to these vehicles, but the quality they deliver is quite impressive.