Image: Kia
CES is famous for highlighting the outlandish, the uncompromising, and the immobile in the auto industry, but props to Kia for thinking more practically with its latest concept.
The South Korean automaker unveiled the PBV, or Platform Beyond Vehicle, which utilizes a flexible chassis to support a variety of vehicle types designed for businesses and individuals. How flexible? Kia is thinking of at least nine different vehicle variations built on the same platform.
The PBVs kind of resemble boring blobs: minivans with flat fronts, minimal overhangs, and an overall boxy design that screams “utility.” They can have long or short wheelbases. Interiors can be configured to fit the specific use case. Customers can mix and match…