Kia Corporation and Uber have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, USA. The collaboration revolves around Kia’s strategic development and deployment of purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) to augment Uber’s ride-hailing platform.
With a shared commitment to achieving Uber’s 2040 zero-emission goal, the partnership aims to produce Kia PBVs tailored for both drivers and fleets, aligning with Kia’s ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’ strategy in the evolving mobility market.
President & CEO of Kia North America and Kia America, SeungKyu (Sean) Yoon, emphasized the significance of PBVs in customizing mobility. He stated, “PBVs will play a key role in the customization of mobility, and by partnering with Uber, Kia aims to deliver industry-leading technology with advanced software and services to enhance the ride-hailing experience.”
The collaboration goes beyond vehicle specifications, intending to integrate technology and services that cater to the unique needs of drivers and ride-hailing users. The goal is to create proofs of concept, prototypes, and production-ready PBVs aligned with Uber’s platform requirements.
Sangdae Kim, Head of PBV Division at Kia, highlighted the transformational role of PBVs in mobility. “This collaboration will enhance Kia’s PBV development with optimized vehicles for drivers’ and riders’ needs,” said Kim. The focus will extend to advanced software, services, interactive In-Vehicle Infotainment, and advanced safety technology.
The partnership also aims to revolutionize the ride-hailing experience by exploring operational solutions that reduce the total cost of vehicle ownership. Analyzing various PBV options and potential Battery-as-a-service (BaaS) subscription offerings is on the agenda to mitigate initial vehicle purchase costs.
The potential outcome of this collaboration includes new driver and passenger experiences featuring personalized riding environments, climate and sound control, and interactive rear-seat entertainment systems. Kia and Uber’s joint efforts are poised to usher in a new era of electric mobility, emphasizing sustainability and a heightened ride-hailing experience.
