Kia's Niro SUV for taxis, businesses getting ready to roll

Kia's Niro Plus, the automaker's first purpose-built vehicle [KIA]

Kia started taking reservations for the Niro Plus Thursday, the automaker's first purpose-built vehicle (PBV).

Niro Plus is designed for taxi and ride-hailing services. A version for general businesses is also available.

A PBV based on the existing Niro SUV, the Niro Plus has more space in the back seat. Equipped with a 64-kilowatt-hour battery, the vehicle can travel 392 kilometers (244 miles) per charge. That range is extended to 433 kilometers for city driving.

It generates a maximum of 150 horsepower and 40.3 kilogram-meters of torque.

The taxi model offers an All-in-One Display system with functions needed by taxi drivers.

The sticker price of the taxi model starts from 46.21 million won ($36,000) while the other version begins from 47.78 million won.

Kia said it plans to dominate the PBV market by 2030, selling one million PBVs per year.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]