Kia will launch a new small purpose-built vehicle (PBV) next year with an 8kW in-wheel motor, TheElec has learned.
The vehicle is designed for the so-called ‘last mile delivery’ market.
The automobile brand plans to collect data from the vehicles for its Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) business.
These data will be used to design and launch a larger PVB with autonomous driving capabilities in 2025, people familiar with the matter said.
Earlier in February, Kia had said it plans to sell a million PBV units per year by 2030.
The company has also recently said it was planning an open platform for developers to promote the rising mobility and logistics ecosystems.
Hyundai Mobis will supply the in-wheel motor system that will be used on the small PBV.
Its own in-wheel motor system, called e-Corner Module, also comes with brakes, sensors and dampers.
