Kia is disrupting the light commercial vehicle (LCV) market with its exciting Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) range that will help people do business like never before. To deliver best-in-class fleet management for PBVs, Kia Connect has partnered with Geotab. This strategic collaboration will integrate a range of data solutions, with enhanced in-vehicle technology, innovative systems, route optimisation and safe driving features– to help improve operational efficiency, safety, and profitability.
“As Kia PBVs will be the most technologically advanced LCVs available, we want to enhance every aspect of the customer experience through advanced connectivity,” said Marc Hedrich, President of Kia in Europe. “This extends to having flexible data solutions that enable easy integration in multi-brand fleets without the need for additional hardware.”
Geotab is a global leader in connected transportation and asset management solutions Kia PBVs uniquely combine fit-for-purpose EVs with advanced software solutions, over-the-air updates and superior dimensions and loading capacities. The introduction of the production version of the PV5 is planned for summer 2025.
As part of the cooperation, Geotab will provide a white-label fleet management platform, a fleet manager app, a driver app, and in-vehicle infotainment integration for Kia PBVs. The partnership will also cover additional features, including advanced EV routing capabilities with automated charging stop recommendations and Digital Key 2.0. It will also seamlessly integrate Kia Charge services, such as charging contracts and billing management, to enable fleet managers to view and manage all charging invoices based on different types of charging events such as public, home or depot charging.
This comprehensive solution will offer fleet managers the ability to integrate other branded vehicles into the platform and it will also provide a complete overview of their operations, while offering a platform to integrate the fleet’s own business solutions, including warehouse management, enterprise resource planning. On the vehicle side, real-time data give access to the vitality of the vehicle, streamlining operations, reducing downtime, and by optimising maintenance needs.
The system allows for customisation to suit each fleet’s specific needs, with the flexibility to tailor how insights are delivered to drivers and fleet managers. As Fleet Management Platform, Driver App and Kia PBVs in-vehicle display are developed in partnership with Geotab and Kia, it is ensured that the data is synchronised among all users and everyone has the right information at the right time at the right place.
“This partnership aims to support fleet managers in their daily operations but also in the strategic management of their fleet,” said Christoph Ludewig, Vice President Europe OEM and Leasing/Rental/Mobility at Geotab. “In a market where vehicle uptime directly impacts profitability, Geotab’s advanced data analytics can enable fleet managers to optimise planning, efficiently manage EV fleets in line with charging infrastructure and ensure that vehicles are always available when and where needed.”
Kia PBVs are part of the brand’s Plan S strategy, which includes expanding the line-up of electric vehicles. The brand has developed an innovative BEV platform specifically for PBVs that can be adapted to different wheelbase lengths, to easily accommodate a wide range of vehicle sizes, body types and conversions. To reinforce Kia’s promise for their customers to do business like never before, PBVs are backed by a seven-year/150,000 km warranty.
To bring PBV to the road, Kia last year started building a dedicated plant in Korea, part of an investment of more than €3 billion. A cutting-edge manufacturing system allows for flexible production, with more customisation of various product types. The initial PBV production capacity of 150,000 units per year will grow gradually and globally to 300,000 units.
