Kia Launches Korea's First Single-Seater Multipurpose Model 'Ray 1-Seater Van'

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Kia has launched the ‘Ray 1-Seater Van,’ a versatile model that can be used for multiple purposes.

According to Kia on the 8th, the newly released Ray 1-Seater Van is the first 1-seater vehicle in Korea. Excluding special vehicles, Ray is the first certified 1-seater among domestic passenger and commercial models.

The Ray 1-Seater Van is a model that offers a glimpse into the direction of purpose-built mobility (PBV) that Kia plans to launch in the future. Kia plans to introduce its first PBV model this year, building on the Ray 1-seater model.

PBV is a new concept of mobility that goes beyond simple transportation, providing various forms, functions, and services depending on its purpose. It is expected to become a new type of transportation that enriches human life by integrating electric vehicle and autonomous driving technologies in the future.

The newly introduced Ray 1-Seater Van by Kia can be used for various purposes such as logistics transportation, mobile stores, and leisure activities according to the user’s purpose and preferences.

Kia developed the Ray 1-Seater Van with high space utilization reflecting customer demands amid the expansion of small-scale logistics businesses. It also considered the recent increase in solo entrepreneurs and the growing trend of ‘solo travelers’ who enjoy leisurely trips alone.

In particular, during the development process, potential customers who might purchase the vehicle for various purposes such as cargo and leisure were involved to listen to their opinions and incorporate them into the product.

The Ray 1-Seater Van removes the passenger seat from the existing 2-seater van model and adds a separate storage space underneath, expanding the maximum cargo capacity to 1628 liters, achieving the largest space among existing compact van models. Additionally, the space where the passenger-side footrest was located now includes extra storage for the driver’s personal belongings.

Compared to the 2-seater van, the cargo loading area has increased by about 30%, and the maximum length of the loading floor is 1.913 meters, allowing an adult to lie down comfortably without much inconvenience. The maximum load capacity has also improved by 26% (65 kg) to 315 kg, securing high loading efficiency.

With the removal of the passenger seat and the lower bulkhead behind it, when all the doors on the right side of the vehicle are opened, the entry space width is widened, making side loading and unloading much easier.

The Ray 1-Seater Van is offered in two trims: Prestige and Prestige Special, which adds driver convenience features such as a heated driver’s seat and driver’s seat height adjustment. Prices start at 13.05 million KRW for the Prestige and 13.45 million KRW for the Prestige Special.

A Kia official stated, “The Ray 1-Seater Van is a customer-centric vehicle that actively reflects potential customers’ requirements from the development stage and presents the direction of future PBVs,” adding, “With maximized space utilization and loading convenience, it will open a new chapter in the compact car market.”

Meanwhile, Kia plans to introduce its first PBV model this year, building on the Ray 1-Seater model. Furthermore, through various partnerships, Kia aims to provide competitive PBV solution services and integrate advanced autonomous driving technology to become a leading company in the global PBV market.

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