South Korean automaker Kia Corporation has officially entered the Japanese market with the launch of its newly-developed PV5 battery-powered mini-bus and commercial van at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 in Tokyo.
The PV5, based on its “Platform Beyond Vehicle” (PBV) purpose-designed battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform, went into production in South Korea in July 2025. The platform is based on a modular architecture, which allows multiple body types to be built on the same platform. Kia hailed the PV5’s launch in Japan as a “significant milestone in the brand’s global expansion strategy.”
Japan has been a tough market for foreign automakers over the years, due to its high retail costs and local consumer preferences, with overseas brands currently accounting for just 5% of total vehicle sales. In the last two years, automakers such as BYD, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Hyundai have been targeting the country’s emerging battery electric vehicle (BEV) segment, where local brands are seen to be lagging.
Kia confirmed it has entered into a distribution partnership with the Sojitz Group, a diversified Japanese corporation operating in the global automotive, infrastructure, energy, and consumer services sectors. Together, they have established Kia PBV Japan, a Sojitz-run sales subsidiary that will oversee Kia’s PBV strategy in the Japanese market. Kia aims to have eight dealers and 100 service centers in operation nationwide within a year.
The PV5 is powered by a 71 kWh battery pack, providing a range of up to 521 km on a single charge. Kia plans to launch a series of models under the PBV brand in the next few years, including larger commercial vehicle models such as the PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029.
Sangdae Kim, Kia executive vice president in charge of the PBV Division, said in a statement: “The PV5 is not just a vehicle - it is a mobility platform designed to meet the diverse needs of customers in Japan. Through our partnership with Sojitz Group, we aim to deliver meaningful solutions that support people, empower businesses, and strengthen local communities, supported by a robust foundation of sales, service, and charging infrastructure. Kia PBV is committed to growing together with Japan as a trusted partner – one who listens, learns, and delivers lasting value."
