Kia participated in the Future of the Car Summit, a global forum and exhibition for leaders in the automotive industry held on the 13th in London (local time), showcasing Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV).
The Future of the Car is an event organized by the Financial Times Group in the UK. At this event, Kia unveiled the Purpose-Built Vehicle (PBV) PV5 WAV in collaboration with Motability, a lease company for vehicles dedicated to individuals with disabilities in the UK. Kia also announced plans to promote PBVs for individuals with mobility challenges. Motability operates 35,000 WAVs.
The PV5 WAV features a universal design concept that can accommodate both regular passengers and individuals in wheelchairs. It includes a side entry and exit method that considers the convenience of wheelchair users, allowing a caregiver to assist passengers in the third row.
In the UK and Europe, the need for electrification in the mobility market for individuals with mobility challenges is becoming evident. Consequently, Kia expects that, starting with the PV5 WAV, ongoing collaboration with Motability will enable proactive responses to market changes.
The PV5 WAV is produced at the 'Hwaseong EVO Plant,' a dedicated PBV factory equipped with flexible and efficient manufacturing processes for small-batch production. Kia explained that this will help reduce unnecessary resource waste and contribute to sustainability. Kia plans to expand the distribution of the PV5 WAV beyond Europe to the global market.
In addition, Kia plans to equip the PV5 WAV with several apps based on the Android Automotive operating system platform.
Kim Sang-dae, Vice President and Head of the PBV Business Division at Kia, noted, "I expect the PV5 WAV to contribute to the free and independent mobility of individuals with mobility challenges," adding, "Kia will pave the way for a future where everyone can benefit from sustainable mobility."