Kia Announces Entry into Japanese Electric Commercial Vehicle Market with PV5 at the Forefront

PV5 Passenger and Cargo Models to Launch Next Year
Eight Dealerships and 100 Service Centers to Be Established

Kia is entering the Japanese electric van (commercial vehicle) market with its PV5 as the flagship model.

Sangdae Kim, Vice President of Kia PBV Business Division, is giving a presentation at the press conference of the "2025 Japan Mobility Show" held in Japan on the 29th. Kia

On October 29, local time, Kia unveiled the PV5 for the first time in Japan at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show held at Tokyo Big Sight, and announced its entry into the Japanese EV van market next year.

The PV5 is based on the dedicated PBV platform "E-GMP.S" and features a spacious interior and specialized software solutions, which are expected to meet the diverse business needs of Japanese customers.

Initially, Kia plans to launch the PV5 Passenger and Cargo models next year, followed by the PV5 WAV, and then introduce the next-generation PV7 in 2027, gradually increasing its sales in the Japanese market.

PV5 displayed at Kia exhibition hall at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. Kia

The Japanese government is pursuing a carbon-neutral policy to convert 30% of new car sales to electric vehicles by 2030, and demand for EV vans and similar vehicles is expected to increase steadily. Kia has decided to enter the market to actively respond to this demand with its purpose-built vehicles (PBVs). The PV5 is currently available in Korea and Europe, and Kia plans to continue expanding its sales regions to include Japan, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa by 2026.

To enter the Japanese PBV market, Kia signed a sales agreement last year with Sojitz, a leading Japanese general trading company. Sojitz has B2B distribution networks not only in automobile sales but also in various industries such as energy, metals, chemicals, and food.

The two companies have established a new corporation, "Kia PBV Japan," and plan to provide stable services across sales, service, and operations by utilizing local distribution networks. Starting next year, Kia will establish eight dealerships and 100 service centers, expanding its sales and service network throughout Japan.

PV5 displayed at the Kia exhibition hall at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show. Kia

Sangdae Kim, Vice President and Head of Kia PBV Business Division, stated, "This is more than just the launch of a new vehicle; it is significant in that we are introducing a new vision of mobility to Japanese society. By leveraging local partnerships to stabilize the PBV business early, we aim to become a trusted partner and companion for Japan, addressing environmental issues and pursuing mutual growth in the long term."

Meanwhile, at this mobility show, Kia designed its exhibition under the theme "Freedom of Space, Freedom of Business," highlighting the diverse applications of the PV5. In addition, Kia created a separate area within the exhibition hall to showcase Kia brand content, the attachable accessory platform "Kia Addgear," and ten sustainable materials utilizing recycling technology, offering a variety of attractions for visitors.

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