Kia completes construction of 1st PBV plant in Hwaseong

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, second from left, and Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun, second from right, sign their respective signatures during a completion ceremony for Kia's EVO Plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. From left are First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Shin-hak, Kim, Chung and Kia CEO Song Ho-sung. Courtesy of Kia

Kia announced the completion of the first phase of its much-anticipated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) factory, known officially as the EVO Plant, in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. The automaker said the facility, once fully completed, is expected to become a major hub for PBV production, with an annual capacity of 250,000 units.

The plant consists of two parts — the EVO Plant East and EVO Plant West. Kia held a completion ceremony for the east plant and a groundbreaking ceremony for the west building on the same day.

The PBV is a type of modular electric vehicle with a flexible chassis, so users can change the body of the vehicle in line with their driving purpose.

The west plant is scheduled to start operations in 2027. Kia has secured some 300,000 square meters of land — roughly the size of 42 football fields — for the two EVO plants. The carmaker will invest some 4 trillion won ($2.73 billion) for the PBV manufacturing facilities and additional research for the new type of vehicles.

Kia's PV5 electric vans are assembled at the carmaker's EVO Plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, Friday. Courtesy of Kia

The east plant will be used to produce Kia’s flagship PBV — the PV5 — with an annual capacity of 100,000. At the west plant, the carmaker will focus on assembling its large-size PBV models — such as the PV7 — with a capacity of 150,000 vehicles annually.

“Kia is pursuing growth in the PBV business by seizing opportunities in the ongoing transition to electrification in the light commercial vehicle market,” Kia CEO Song Ho-sung said.

“Aligned with the government’s electric vehicle (EV) support policies, we plan to produce 2.63 million EVs in Korea between 2026 and 2030 — which accounts for 58 percent of the carmaker’s planned global output of 4.51 million units during the same period,” he said. “This will help strengthen Korea’s industrial competitiveness.”

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok also joined the event to celebrate the completion of Kia's PBV-dedicated plant.

The EVO plants incorporate advanced manufacturing technologies with low-carbon processes. The facilities are also characterized by complete automation and worker-friendly operations, according to the carmaker.

A panoramic view of Kia's EVO Plant in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of Kia

Kia will also operate the PBV Conversion Center, so it can co-develop specialized PBVs with its partner firms. The facility will produce customized versions of the PV5. The carmaker plans to diversify the customized production model to the PV7 later.

Kia says the name “EVO Plant” draws inspiration from the words “evolution” and “plant,” reflecting the company’s commitment to advancing future mobility with an innovative spirit.