At Mikawa Port (Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, etc.), which has been Japan's number one port for both the volume and value of automobile imports for 33 consecutive years, the import of EV (electric vehicle) vans from the major South Korean automaker "Kia" began on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The entry of this new brand marks the first since Hyundai in 2023, bringing the total number of imported car brands handled at the port to 23.
Landed in Preparation for Japan Launch, 34 Units Arrive at Jinnō Wharf
The imports are handled by "Kia PBV Japan Co., Ltd." (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), Kia's Japanese agency for EV vans. The models landed this time are two types: the "PV5 Passenger" and the "PV5 Cargo," both scheduled for domestic sales starting this spring.
Around 11:00 AM on Thursday, the 16th, under clear blue skies, a total of 34 units of the PV5 Passenger and PV5 Cargo were sequentially unloaded from a car carrier vessel operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. at the pier in the Jinnō area of Toyohashi.
Approximately Half of Imported Cars Pass Through Mikawa Port
Mikawa Port is located in Aichi Prefecture, Japan's largest automobile industry cluster. Backed by its geographical advantage of being situated almost in the center of the two major metropolitan areas of Kanto and Kansai, it has served as a hub for automobile imports and exports for many years. Particularly regarding imports, it has earned the trust of many automobile importing companies, and approximately one out of every two imported cars is unloaded at Mikawa Port. The import volume in 2025 was 184,079 units, marking 33 consecutive years as Japan's number one, and the export volume was 837,666 units, boasting the second-largest scale nationwide behind the Port of Nagoya.
The department in charge at Toyohashi City expressed high expectations for further expansion of use, stating, "We would like major brands whose landings have not yet become permanent at Mikawa Port to also utilize our facilities."
FACT BOX
- Source: PR TIMES
- Category: New Product