[News Terms] The Identity of This Vehicle That Is Neither a Bus Nor a Truck: 'Purpose-Built Vehicle'

Eco-friendly Multipurpose Vehicle Tailored to Customer Needs
Versatile Use for Taxi, Medical, Logistics, and More

Purpose Built Vehicles (PBV) refer to eco-friendly multipurpose vehicles provided to meet various customer needs. They go beyond being simple means of transportation and encompass new smart devices.

Depending on the customer's purpose, they can be used for cargo transportation like traditional trucks or for transporting multiple passengers. They can also be used as models specialized for taxis, and serve various purposes such as rest, logistics, commerce, and medical services.

Existing complete vehicle manufacturers and related companies are developing specialized PBVs. Hyundai Motor Group already possesses platforms capable of implementing PBVs, such as the Ray single-seater van specialized for delivery and the Niro Plus, which can be used as a taxi. Earlier, Hyundai Motor Group held UX Tech Day 2022 and unveiled a PBV concept vehicle. On the 11th, they held a groundbreaking ceremony for Kia's new factory (Autoland Hwaseong) in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province. From 2025, PBVs will be produced in earnest at this factory.

Hyundai Motor Group's PBV concept. Photo by Hyundai Motor Company

General Motors (GM) announced the electric vehicle-based PBV 'BrightDrop' at CES 2021. The delivery electric vehicle 'Zevo 600' produced by BrightDrop was delivered 500 units to logistics company FedEx last year and signed a production contract for 2,000 units.

Volkswagen provides a 'ride pooling' service in Germany through its independent subsidiary 'MOIA,' which was created to develop PBVs, allowing passengers with similar routes to travel together. Toyota unveiled the 'e-Palette' at the Tokyo Olympics, which allows passengers in wheelchairs to board and alight comfortably. Additionally, electric vehicle companies such as Rivian and Canoo in the U.S. and Arrival in the U.K. are developing various models using PBV platforms.

According to the industry, the PBV market is expected to continue growing. A report analyzed by the Global Management Research Institute, an industrial strategy research department within Hyundai Motor Group, forecasts that the global PBV market will expand from 320,000 units in 2020 to 1.3 million units by 2025.

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