Hwaseong, South Korea — Kia Corporation has marked a major milestone in its journey toward future mobility with the completion of its dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) facility, Hwaseong EVO Plant East, and the groundbreaking of EVO Plant West, a large-scale PBV production hub. Together, these facilities will form the cornerstone of Kia’s first centralised PBV production base in Korea, with a combined annual production capacity of 250,000 units.
The ceremony, held at Kia’s AutoLand Hwaseong plant in Gyeonggi Province, welcomed approximately 200 distinguished guests, including Min-seok Kim, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, and key officials from the Hyundai Motor Group. Kia President and Global CEO Ho Sung Song, alongside top executives from Hyundai Motor Group, emphasized the significance of this milestone in driving sustainable, electrified commercial mobility.
Strategic Investment in Future Mobility
Kia is investing roughly KRW 4 trillion in the 296,882 square-metre Hwaseong EVO Plant site to construct these state-of-the-art facilities. EVO Plant East, built on a 98,433 square-metre site, is dedicated to producing 100,000 units annually of the PV5 mid-size PBV, encompassing Passenger, Cargo, Chassis Cab, and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) variants. EVO Plant West, scheduled to begin operations in 2027 on a 136,671 square-metre site, will produce 150,000 units annually, including the larger PV7 and other PBV models.
In addition, Kia has launched a dedicated PBV Conversion Centre on a 63,728 square-metre site to develop customised PBV models in collaboration with strategic partners. This facility will produce variants such as open-bed trucks, box vans, and camping vehicles, while also preparing for upcoming PBVs like the PV7, cementing Kia’s commitment to building a comprehensive PBV ecosystem.
Cutting-Edge Manufacturing and Sustainability
The name “EVO Plant” reflects Kia’s dedication to “Evolution” and innovation. Both EVO Plant East and West integrate advanced manufacturing technologies with sustainability at their core. The facilities leverage Hyundai Motor and Kia’s E-FOREST smart factory platform, enabling real-time operation, quality control, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Key features include:
- Body Shop: Smart logistics with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for seamless operations.
- Paint Shop: Low-carbon dry booths reducing environmental impact.
- Final Assembly: Human-centric design combining automation with low-noise, ergonomic workspaces.
- Flexible Production: Integration of mass-production conveyor systems with cell-based processes to enable simultaneous manufacturing of diverse PBV types.
Kia is also advancing its RE100 initiative by implementing a 50 MW solar power generation facility within AutoLand Hwaseong, further underscoring its commitment to sustainable operations.
Positioning Kia as a Global PBV Leader
With these developments, Kia is establishing a strategic PBV hub to support its global expansion. The company’s focus spans five core pillars: Product, Manufacturing, Solutions, Services, and Channels. By leveraging its expertise in electrification and commercial vehicle innovation, Kia aims to provide sustainable, customised mobility solutions that meet the evolving needs of customers worldwide.
Ho Sung Song, Kia President and Global CEO, highlighted the company’s vision: “Kia is leveraging the electrification of light commercial vehicles as a key opportunity to position PBVs as a core future business. As we continue our journey toward sustainable future mobility, Kia remains committed to becoming a trusted partner in building a better future for Korea — and for humanity as a whole.”
With the full operation of EVO Plant East, EVO Plant West, and the PBV Conversion Centre, Kia is set to deliver its entire PBV lineup from a single, centralised hub, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable mobility solutions and shaping the next era of commercial electric vehicles.
