Kia is preparing to launch into the UK commercial vehicle market by establishing a network of Professional Business Van (PBV) specialists this spring.
The PV5 electric van will spearhead the new PBV division, with the name also appearing on Kia’s van dealerships.
The new van has only been shown as a concept before, but Kia has confirmed that more details will be revealed at the CV Show on April 29.
A silhouette of the production version of the PV5 hints at the similarities with the concept model, particularly the distinctive curve of the front headlights.
As Kia is aiming the new PV5 at the delivery, utilities and ride hailing sectors and will be available in panel van, chassis cab and passenger variants.
The PV5 is built on a dedicated EV platform and will only be available as an all-electric model.
Kia says the chassis cab is particularly unusual in the mid-size van market and “offers further scope for diverse customer needs and customisation”.
Every Kia PBV product will come with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty as standard.
All PBV models will also come with Geotab telematics technology as standard, including native access to the Android App store on the van’s central display.
Kia partnered with Geotab provide fleet management solutions last year in a deal specifically geared up to help the Korean manufacturer prepare to launch in to the UK commercial fleet market.
More specific details about the PV5 are expected to be revealed at the CV Show, but Kia has already confirmed its intentions to expand beyond this first model to a larger PV7 electric van, as well as a compact PV1 urban van.
Paul Philpott, president and chief executive of Kia UK, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Kia, as we build an entirely new commercial business to deliver world-class electric vans to UK customers.
“Our first electric van, the PV5, arrives at an important time for the UK, amid an unprecedented transition towards electric power across both the car and van markets. “Our strategy is to approach the market confidently but responsibly, launching in a phased and progressive manner to ensure each element of our commercial vehicle business is exacted with the same industry-leading standards we’re known for in the passenger car industry.
“This will cover dealer sales excellence, customer care, service and experience.”
