Recently, Kia Niro Plus was officially released. The new car is Kia's first custom-built PBV model based on the first-generation Niro EV. Kia plans to launch a taxi version of Niro Plus in South Korea to adapt it to the needs of modern taxi services. The Niro Plus will launch a general-purpose model in select overseas markets in the second half of this year. In addition to the pure electric version, niro Plus will also be available in these markets plug-in hybrid and oil-electric hybrid models, reflecting the characteristics of each country and different customer needs.
Kia Motors was one of the first companies to enter the global PBV market and plans to become a market leader by 2030, and Kia expects PBV models to become an important part of the future mobility space. Kia Automotive plans to gradually expand its PBV business globally through niro Plus, with further market launches and details to be announced in the near future.
To that end, Kia is developing a dedicated platform that can accommodate PBVs of different shapes and sizes to meet changing customer needs and market trends. Kia will launch its first dedicated PBV model in 2025, when the global PBV market is expected to mature. The brand's first dedicated PBV is similar in size to a mid-size car and inherently scalable.
Niro Plus is part of Kia's plan to become a sustainable mobility solutions provider and PBV development leader. It also reflects greater public demand for more sustainable ways of working and traveling. Kia also plans to launch a universal version of niro Plus for private owners, which can be used for a variety of business and leisure purposes, including ride-hailing services. Kia Motors, for example, is envisioning a scenario where small business owners use the Niro Plus to work on weekdays and then take full advantage of its features on weekends for camping or leisure activities like going to the beach or on a mountain vacation.
With the acceleration of e-commerce during the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for express and logistics services has increased significantly. As the PBV market grows, Kia Motors plans to gradually expand its range from micro-PBVs to large PBVs, which have the potential to become alternatives to public transportation and even as mobile offices.
The Kia Niro Plus taxi version has made several improvements over the first-generation Niro EV to meet the needs of Korean taxi companies. The new car has been increased by 10mm and 80mm in length and height, respectively, providing occupants with more interior space, and thinner seat and door trims also contribute to greater cockpit space. In addition, the Niro Plus taxi version has more passenger safety and convenience features, including auxiliary handles and more.
The all-in-one display, customized for taxis, integrates information related to the taxi driver's work, including navigation, application taxi meter, digital driving recorder and voice recognition, greatly improving the convenience and safety of the driver. The system will also include data on relevant points of interest and the location of nearby EV charging stations. Kia plans to work with local and national businesses to provide OTA updates.
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