Kia Partners with Japan-Based MK Holdings to Supply 1,000 PBVs by 2030

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Kia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Japanese passenger transport company MK Holdings to expand its purpose-built vehicle (PBV) business in the local market.

On the 3rd, Kia announced that it recently signed an "MOU on PBV Japan Business Cooperation" at its headquarters in Yangjae-dong, Seoul. The ceremony was attended by key officials, including Kim Sang-dae, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia's PBV Business Division, and Aoki Nobuaki, President of MK Holdings.

MK Holdings is a passenger transport company that operates mobility services, including taxis and tour buses, in eight Japanese cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, and Nagoya, centered around MK Taxi. In particular the late founder, Yoo Bong-sik (Japanese name: Aoki Sadao), was a first-generation Korean resident of Japan who was born in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, South Korea, and moved to Japan at the age of 15. The current President, Aoki Nobuaki, is his eldest son.

Under this agreement, Kia, MK Holdings, and Kia PBV Japan will collaborate on expanding the adoption of PBVs in Japan, strengthening exhibition, sales, and service infrastructure, and building locally optimized PBV solutions. Kia PBV Japan is a local subsidiary established with 100% investment by Sojitz, a major Japanese general trading company, and is responsible for building the sales and service network.

Kia plans to first supply 40 PV5 units to MK Holdings by the end of this year, with a goal of supplying a total of 1,000 PBVs by 2030. Currently, four PV5 units have been prioritized for supply and have been in actual operation as MK Taxi vehicles in the Kyoto region since the end of last month.

The PV5s supplied to the Japanese market feature the CHAdeMO charging standard as a basic specification, given its high adoption rate locally. Additionally, while securing an interior space with a wheelbase of 2,995mm, the vehicle achieves a minimum turning radius of 5.5m, enhancing driving convenience in Japan's narrow road environments.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original