Kia will work to strengthen the future vehicle industry in the Gwangju and South Jeolla Province region and build a purpose-built vehicle-centered mobility ecosystem, the automaker announced Sunday. The company plans to invest about 3 trillion won ($2.24 billion) centered on AutoLand Gwangju to transition to next-generation vehicles by 2029.
Through the investment, Kia aims to establish a production system based on advanced manufacturing technology, expand autonomous driving technology demonstrations and increase electrified vehicle production.
Kia said Friday it signed a memorandum of understanding on "building a PBV-based future mobility industry ecosystem" at AutoLand Gwangju, with Kia President and CEO Song Ho-sung, South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City Mayor Min Hyeong-bae, Chonnam National University President Lee Geun-bae and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) President Lim Ki-cheol among the attendees.
The agreement aims to lay the groundwork for growth in the region's future vehicle industry through cooperation on technology demonstration and commercialization using PBVs.
Specific areas of cooperation include developing a dedicated PBV-based demand-responsive transport vehicle, demonstrating a PBV shuttle service incorporating autonomous driving technology, piloting remote-driving technology based on the PV5 WAV to improve mobility for people with limited transportation access, and testing Easy Swap technology that allows vehicles to switch between uses such as logistics and passenger transport.
Kia said it hopes the agreement will strengthen the PBV industry base in the region and create new growth momentum for the local future vehicle industry through the development and expansion of diverse future mobility services.
"This agreement will serve as an opportunity to accelerate the development and commercialization of PBV-based future mobility technology," Song said. "Through building a future vehicle production system and expanding our PBV business, Kia will contribute to making South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City a leading hub for the future mobility industry in South Korea."
sij@heraldcorp.com
