[CES 2024] Kia to supply electric vans for Uber

Kia and Uber have signed an agreement to use the Korean automaker's newly announced electric van for ride-hailing.

Executives from Kia and Uber Technologies, including Yoon Seung-kyu, second from left, CEO of Kia North America, and Susan Anderson, third from left, global head of Uber's business development team, pose for a photo with Kia's PV5 at its booth at CES 2024 in Las Vegas on Wednesday. [KIA]

LAS VEGAS — Kia will make electric vans for Uber, the first customer for its PV5 modular EV unveiled at CES 2024.

The Korean company announced the partnership on Wednesday, two days after it unveiled its concept PBVs, or purpose-built vehicles, at the world's largest tech fair in Las Vegas.

PBVs are built on a flexible architecture with swappable bodies and are designed for specific uses, such as shuttling and last-mile delivery.

Under the deal, Kia will develop a PBV for Uber by analyzing Uber drivers' driving patterns.

The vehicle will be based on a mid-size PV5, which will be introduced in 2025 as Kia's first PBV.

A teaser image of Kia's PBV [KIA]

Kia and Uber will collaborate to moderate the total cost of vehicle ownership by analyzing the various PBV options and potential Battery-as-a-service subscription offerings to reduce initial vehicle purchase costs.

The Korean automaker expects the latest cooperation will also be helpful for the Kia Flex program in North America, which allows drivers to choose Kia vehicles for use on Uber. The service is now available in only a few states in the United States.

"PBVs will play a key role in the customization of mobility, and by partnering with Uber, Kia aims to deliver industry-leading technology with advanced software and services to enhance the ride-hailing experience," Kia North America CEO Yoon Seung-kyu said.

"Drivers on the Uber platform will also have the ability to choose Kia vehicles with a comprehensive suite of offerings that will ease the ramp-up of electrification and help achieve both Kia's and Uber's sustainability goals."

Kia also unveiled concept cars of PV1, the smallest model and PV7, the largest model in the lineup.

Kia CEO Song Ho-sung also mentioned Coupang, Kakao Mobility and CJ Logistics as companies in talks for potential orders.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]