Kia Begins PV5 Shipments to Japan

Why this is here: Kia plans to produce roughly 100,000 PV5 units each year at its facility in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.

Kia shipped its first 34 PV5 electric vehicles to Mikawa Port in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, Japan in April. The mid-size EVs originated from Kia’s dedicated PBV facility in Hwaseong, South Korea, where the company has reserved a capacity of 100,000 units annually for this model. Sojitz Corporation will import and distribute the PV5 through a new subsidiary, Kia PBV Japan, offering both Passenger and Cargo versions.

The PV5 Passenger will launch with a standard body and two powertrain options—an 89 kW motor with a 51.5 kWh battery for roughly 377 kilometers of range, and a 120 kW motor with a 71.2 kWh battery for up to 521 kilometers. The PV5 Cargo version, also standard-bodied, will offer three powertrain choices and accommodate two Euro pallets within its 4,420-liter cargo area.

Early sales in the United Kingdom—around 3,750 units since late 2025—exceeded expectations, with more Cargo versions sold than Passenger versions. Kia has not yet announced detailed pricing or a firm launch date for the PV5 in Japan, and further testing in local conditions remains.