Kia to Supply 1,000 'PBVs' to Japan... Signs Agreement with MK Holdings

Use in services such as taxis, premium chauffeur services and airport pickups
Expand exhibition and sales capabilities and service infrastructure

Kia is expanding its local PBV (purpose-built vehicle) business with Japanese passenger transportation company MK Holdings.

Kia said on November 3 that it had recently signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the PBV business in Japan at its Yangjae headquarters, with key representatives including Kia Vice President Kim Sangdae, head of the PBV Business Division, and MK Holdings President Aoki Nobuaki in attendance.

Kia said on the 3rd that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s MK Holdings on cooperation in the PBV business in Japan at its Yangjae headquarters. Kia Vice President Kim Sangdae, head of the PBV Business Division (right), poses for a commemorative photo with MK Holdings President Aoki Nobuaki. Kia

The agreement aims for Kia to supply PBVs to MK Holdings and expand PBV sales in Japan. MK Holdings is a passenger transportation company that operates a range of mobility services, including taxis and sightseeing buses, in eight Japanese cities, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya, with its MK Taxi service at the center of its operations.

Kia, MK Holdings, and Kia PBV Japan will work to expand PBV adoption and develop exhibition, sales, and service infrastructure, while collaborating to establish PBV solutions optimized for the local market. Kia plans to first supply 40 PV5 vehicles to MK Holdings by the end of this year, and a total of 1,000 PBVs by 2030.

Four PV5 vehicles have been operating as MK taxis in the Kyoto area since late October.

The PV5 vehicles supplied to Japan are equipped with vehicle configurations and technologies optimized for the characteristics of the Japanese market and customer demand, including CHAdeMO charging, which is widely used locally, as standard. Despite its long 2,995 mm wheelbase, the vehicle has a turning radius of 5.5 m, improving maneuverability in narrow streets and ease of parking and enabling convenient, efficient driving even on Japan's narrow roads.

Kia will also collaborate on local maintenance, technical support, and parts supply to support reliable local operations and improve service quality.

MK Holdings will use PBVs for a range of services, including taxis, premium chauffeur services, and airport pickups. Kia PBV Japan will be responsible for establishing local sales and service networks in Japan. Launched last year, Kia PBV Japan is a local subsidiary established with 100% investment by Japanese trading company Sojitz to develop Kia's PBV business in Japan.

A Kia PV5 MK taxi operating in Kyoto, Japan. Kia

Based on this collaboration, Kia expects to strengthen its local business foundation across the customer experience, sales, vehicle use, and service, while effectively responding to new demand for PBVs in Japan.

"This is the starting point for a strategic partnership to create new possibilities for PBV use in Japan, going beyond simply supplying vehicles," said Kia Vice President Kim Sangdae, head of the PBV Business Division. "By bringing together Kia's competitive PBV products, MK Holdings' mobility business experience, and Kia PBV Japan's local operating capabilities, we will expand the partnership so that we can deliver new mobility value to customers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.