Kia marks milestone with establishment of production hub

Kia has celebrated the completion of its dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) facility, the Hwaseong Evo Plant East, and the breaking of ground for the Evo Plant West, a large-scale PBV production facility in Korea.

Combined, Kia will have an annual PBV production capacity of 250,000 units as part of its aim to establish a future PBV production hub. Kia also plans to position the Hwaseong Evo Plant (East and West) as a future strategic hub to drive the global expansion of the company's PBV business.

The Evo Plant will also apply Hyundai and Kia's E-Forest smart factory brand to enable real-time operation and quality control

The Hwaseong Evo Plant is said to apply a wide range of future-oriented manufacturing technologies and is designed to minimise carbon footprint. The facility emphasises automation, sustainability, and a human-centric environment, with each process integrating features that reflect these priorities.

Kia is also launching its dedicated PBV Conversion Centre in collaboration with strategic partners to develop specialised PBV models. It will produce a wide range of customised models based on Kia's first PBV model (the PV5), including open-bed trucks, box vans, and camping vehicles.

The centre will also develop and produce additional conversion models, based on upcoming PBVs, such as the PV7. It will serve as a strategic base for the expansion of Kia's PBV business, while fostering a sustainable PBV ecosystem through close collaboration with partner companies.