[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Kia launched the model year update of its first Purpose Built Vehicle (PBV), the Niro Plus, called 'The 2024 Niro Plus,' on the 8th.
Developed based on the 1st generation Niro EV, the Niro Plus marked the official start of Kia's PBV business with its release at the end of May last year. Approximately 4,700 units were sold over about six months starting from June last year when full deliveries began.
For the 2024 Niro Plus, Kia standardized some features and added new ones. Cruise control, an electronic chromic mirror (ECM), and a Hi-Pass automatic payment system, which enhance driving convenience, were applied as standard on both the taxi and business models.
Additionally, the taxi model considered the frequent boarding and alighting in the second row and the relatively short ride times. A 20-minute auto-off function was applied to the second-row heated seats to reduce unnecessary power consumption. The business model added a second-row center armrest and a passenger seat safety power window to improve usability in various situations.
The prices for The 2024 Niro Plus are ▲Taxi model Light trim at 46 million KRW, Air trim at 47.5 million KRW ▲Business model Air trim at 47.55 million KRW, Earth trim at 48.5 million KRW (based on tax benefits and 3.5% individual consumption tax).
Meanwhile, Kia operates 'Kia EV Members Taxi' for electric vehicle individual taxi customers. Kia EV Members Taxi is the first membership program exclusively for individual taxi customers in Korea. It offers various benefits such as KakaoT Blue subscription fees, driver restaurant coupons, and taxi-exclusive products to individual taxi operators who purchase Kia electric vehicles.
A Kia official stated, "The Niro Plus, Kia's first PBV, has been very popular as individual and corporate taxis as well as corporate business vehicles since its launch in May last year," adding, "The enhanced Niro Plus will lead the PBV market going forward."
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