- Kia hosted the 2025 Global PBV Conversion Partners Day from November 25–27, bringing together global bodybuilders to advance the PBV ecosystem
- The company introduced its PBV Conversion Partnership program, which enables providing vehicle data and technical support to bodybuilders for ease of conversion
- Kia aims to strengthen collaboration with bodybuilders and expand the PBV ecosystem for developing diverse, specialized models
- Kia PBVs, as a leader in the PBV ecosystem, are driving innovation for businesses and individuals through sustainable mobility solutions that enhance everyday productivity
Kia Corporation brought together global bodybuilders at the 2025 Global PBV Conversion Partners Day, held November 25–27, to strengthen collaboration within the PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) ecosystem and drive development of diverse PBV models.
The event took place across multiple locations, including Seoul and Hwaseong, featuring Kia’s Hwaseong EVO Plant and the PBV Experience Center in Pyeongtaek. About 120 participants attended, including Kia executives and representatives from bodybuilders across Korea, Europe, Japan, Africa, the Middle East and Canada.
PBV conversion refers to developing and producing specialized models by utilizing PBVs as a platform to meet customers’ specific purposes and needs. Kia organized the event to expand conversion partnerships and build a PBV ecosystem that fosters mutual growth.
The PBV Conversion Partnership is a collaborative framework in which Kia provides vehicle manufacturing and certification information, along with technical support, enabling bodybuilders to produce a variety of specialized models with complete-vehicle quality. After completing the required procedures, bodybuilders are officially designated as partners.
Kia has selected 10 Korean bodybuilders as PBV Conversion Partners and aims to further strengthen the PBV ecosystem by expanding partnerships with bodybuilders in other regions, including approximately 10 in Europe. The event also featured a signing ceremony with newly appointed PBV Conversion Partners.
“Kia will strengthen collaboration with bodybuilders worldwide to deliver vehicles and services optimized for diverse business environments,” said Sangdae Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of PBV Business Division at Kia Corporation. “We anticipate that this expanded collaboration will allow Kia to offer customers high-quality conversion options, accelerate PBV adoption and build a growing, interconnected ecosystem.”
At the event, Kia presented its PBV business strategy, the PBV Conversion Partnership program and its operational direction to participating bodybuilders and organized a tour of AutoLand Hwaseong EVO Plant, Kia’s dedicated PBV production facility.
Kia unveiled the mass-production model of the PV5 — recently named the 2026 International Van of the Year — alongside a range of conversion-ready configurations. These include the Chassis Cab, featuring only the chassis and passenger cabin, and the Donor Model, pre-stripped of components such as seats and interior trims for easy customization. The event also offered attendees the opportunity to experience test drives.
Going forward, Kia is set to host the Global PBV Conversion Partners Day annually as a regular event.
Earlier this month, Kia marked the completion of the Hwaseong EVO Plant East and broke ground on the EVO Plant West at AutoLand Hwaseong, establishing a PBV production hub with an annual capacity of 250,000 units. The company also operates its dedicated PBV Conversion Center nearby to co-develop specialized models with Korean and global partners.
