Tag Archives: South Korea

News

Kia Bets Big on the Future of Mobility with Massive New PBV Hub in Korea

Kia isn’t just dipping its toes into the future of mobility—it’s diving in headfirst with steel-toed boots. The company has officially completed the Hwaseong EVO Plant East, broken ground on EVO Plant West, and laid the foundation for what might be the most ambitious Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV) strategy in the global auto industry.

When both sides of this manufacturing tag team are fully online, Kia will command an impressive 250,000-unit annual PBV capacity—enough to make even established commercial-vehicle giants take notice.

A Ceremony Fit for a National Priority

Kia turned its AutoLand Hwaseong complex into a red-carpet moment for Korea’s political and industrial heavyweights. Roughly 200 VIPs showed up—including Korea’s Prime Minister Min-seok Kim and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung—underscoring just how central PBVs have become to Korea’s mobility ambitions.

The government messaging was clear: PBVs, electrification, autonomy, and AI aren’t just trends—they’re the battlegrounds of the next automotive era. And Kia wants home-field advantage.

Two Plants, One Mission: Total PBV Domination

The two-part EVO complex is Kia’s new PBV headquarters—East for the midsize stuff, West for the big bruisers.

  • EVO Plant East:
    • 98,433 square meters
    • 100,000 annual units
    • Dedicated to the PV5 lineup
    • Passenger, Cargo, Chassis Cab, and Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle variants
  • EVO Plant West (coming 2027):
    • 136,671 square meters
    • 150,000 annual units
    • Home to future PBV heavyweights, including the PV7

Together, they’ll push out a full spread of modular, electric commercial vehicles designed to slot into anything from urban delivery fleets to specialized mobility services.

A Smart Factory That’s Actually… Smart

Kia is throwing its full tech arsenal at the EVO complex.

The plants will run on the Hyundai–Kia E-FOREST smart-factory platform, which enables real-time quality control and data-driven production tweaks. Smart logistics through autonomous guided vehicles. Low-carbon paint booths. Advanced automation in final assembly. And flexible manufacturing cells capable of building different vehicle types simultaneously.

In short, this isn’t your father’s car factory. It’s cleaner, smarter, quieter, and heavily automated—yet designed to keep humans working more comfortably and efficiently.

The PBV Conversion Center: Kia’s Secret Weapon

Beyond the two major factories, Kia is building a 63,728 square-meter PBV Conversion Center, a customization hotbed that’ll crank out everything from box vans and open-bed trucks to camping rigs based on the PV5—and later, the PV7.

This is clever strategy. In the PBV game, adaptability is king, and Kia wants to supply not just the base vehicles but the entire ecosystem of upfitted solutions. Think of it as OEM-grade customization for fleet operators who don’t want the aftermarket lottery.

Sustainability: More Than a Buzzword

Kia is pairing its PBV push with a major renewable investment: a 50-megawatt solar power facility at AutoLand Hwaseong, part of its RE100 clean-energy commitment. It won’t fully power a complex this large, but it’s a noticeable step toward a self-sustaining industrial footprint.

Why PBVs, and Why Now?

Because the world is finally ready. Urban delivery is exploding, logistics are electrifying, and fleet operators are demanding EV-ready platforms that can be adapted for last-mile delivery, ride-hailing, micro-transit, emergency services—you name it.

Kia President and Global CEO Ho Sung Song says the company sees electrified light commercial vehicles as “a key opportunity” for leadership. Translation: This is where the next wave of mobility profits will come from, and Kia intends to surf at the front.

With massive investment, government backing, and a multi-pronged strategy covering product, manufacturing, services, and distribution, Kia is turning Hwaseong into the Silicon Valley of PBVs.

If the execution matches the ambition, Kia might not just participate in the next era of commercial mobility—it might define it.

Source: Kia

News

BMW South Korea Unveils Ultra-Exclusive Individual Manufaktur Sedans

If you’re the type who thrills at limited-run, bespoke vehicles, BMW South Korea has once again raised the bar. The automaker’s local arm has long used its online shop to launch special editions, but every so often, a quartet of cars emerges that goes far beyond a simple trim upgrade. Enter four sedans—each one meticulously crafted under BMW’s Individual Manufaktur program.

M3 Competition xDrive: Sapphire Blue and Singular Flair

Leading the charge is the M3 Competition xDrive, dressed in a striking Individual Sapphire Blue finish. While the 825 M silver wheels catch the eye, it’s the subtle touches that make this Korea-only edition truly stand out: Individual Manufaktur logos grace the B-pillars and side skirts, signaling its exclusivity.

Inside, the cabin is a masterclass in contrast and craftsmanship. White Merino leather with blue stitching envelops the seats, while the front headrests proudly display the Individual Manufaktur emblem. Just three of these all-wheel-drive sports sedans will be made, each priced at a cool 161.5 million won—roughly $112,500.

5 Series 550e xDrive: White Reimagined

Next in line is the 5 Series plug-in hybrid, the 550e xDrive. At first glance, its finish might seem standard, but BMW claims the color is “clearer and deeper,” achieved through a painstaking process of painting, sanding, priming, and repainting three times. The Individual Manufaktur branding continues on the B-pillars and lower rear doors.

Inside, the cabin balances elegance and sportiness with white leather, an anthracite Alcantara headliner, and carbon fiber trim. The front headrests once again feature the bespoke logo. Production is limited to three units, each priced at 140.2 million won—about $98,000.

7 Series 740i and 750e: Flagship Bespoke

Finally, BMW’s flagship 7 Series gets the Individual Manufaktur treatment in both 740i and 750e forms. Both models flaunt a deeper black exterior with Shadowline accents and 21-inch Individual wheels. Here, the bespoke logo migrates to the Hofmeister kink and side skirts, further elevating exclusivity.

The interior is equally impressive: GranLusso Merino leather in a blue-and-white scheme with silver stitching, carbon fiber trim, and engraved Individual Manufaktur logos create a truly luxurious atmosphere. Only one of each model will be built, with prices set at 209 million won ($145,500) for the 740i and 229 million won ($160,000) for the 750e. Interestingly, exterior images suggest the 7 Series may even wear a fully electric i7 guise.

Ordering Opens October 29

All four Individual Manufaktur sedans will be available for online order starting October 29 at 3 PM local time—a reminder that in South Korea, BMW knows how to make scarcity and craftsmanship feel irresistible.

Source: BMW