“3 trillion won investment in the transition to future vehicles”... Kia Corporation to build a PBV mobility ecosystem in Jeonnam-Gwangju

[Financial News] From dedicated demand-responsive transport (DRT) vehicles to autonomous shuttles and remote driving for people with reduced mobility, Kia Corporation will use the Gwangju and Jeonnam region as a proving ground for purpose-built vehicles (PBVs).
Kia Corporation said on the 6th that it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at Kia AutoLand Gwangju with Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, Chonnam National University (CNU), and the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) to “build a future mobility industry ecosystem based on PBVs.” Attendees at the signing ceremony included Kia Corporation President and CEO Song Ho-sung, Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Mayor Min Hyung-bae, CNU President Lee Keunbae, and GIST President Ki-Cheol Lim.
The agreement was reached with the shared aim of laying the foundation for growth in the region’s future vehicle industry through collaboration on demonstrating and commercializing future mobility technologies using PBVs.
There are four areas of cooperation: developing PBV-based vehicles dedicated to DRT; piloting PBV shuttle services equipped with autonomous-driving technology; demonstrating remote-driving technology based on the Kia PV5 WAV to improve mobility for people with reduced mobility; and demonstrating Easy Swap technology, which changes a vehicle’s use to suit purposes such as logistics or passenger transport. Kia Corporation said it would explore specific ways to cooperate in these areas.
The parties also plan to develop cooperation initiatives in environmental and energy fields, including addressing the climate crisis and expanding the use of renewable energy.
Kia Corporation said it expects the agreement to strengthen the local PBV industry base and help create a new growth engine for the region’s future vehicle industry through the development and expansion of a range of future mobility services. The company is pursuing an investment of about 3 trillion won through 2029, centered on Kia AutoLand Gwangju, to support the transition to future vehicles. It plans to establish a production system based on innovative future manufacturing technologies and expand autonomous-driving trials and production of electrified vehicles.
Kia Corporation President Song Ho-sung said, “This agreement will help accelerate the development and commercialization of PBV-based future mobility technologies,” adding, “Kia Corporation will contribute to Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City’s emergence as a hub representing South Korea in the future mobility industry by building a production system for future vehicles and expanding its PBV business.”
[email protected] Kim Dong-chan Reporter