KG Motors

Based in Hiroshima, KG Motors is a Japanese startup targeting a niche in the domestic electric vehicle market with its ultra-compact, single-seater vehicle, the "mibot".

The company was founded in July 2022 by CEO Kazunari Kusunoki. His vision for the company stems from his personal experience growing up in Higashihiroshima and Kure, where he observed the challenges of navigating narrow streets and the decline of public transportation in rural areas. Before establishing KG Motors, Kusunoki ran a company importing and selling automotive aftermarket parts and cultivated a significant online presence through his YouTube channel, "Kussun Garage," which he started in 2018. This platform was instrumental in building a community and attracting talent and partners for his EV project, which he began conceptualizing in 2020.

KG Motors operates on a direct-to-consumer, make-to-order business model. The company's core product, the mibot, is a minimalist EV designed for single occupants on short-distance trips, a concept informed by data showing that a high percentage of car journeys in Japan are made by solo drivers. Priced at approximately ¥1 million (around $7,000), the vehicle is positioned as a cost-effective alternative to conventional cars, targeting commuters and households in rural areas that often require one car per person. The business strategy anticipates an initial loss on the first batch of vehicles, aiming to break even on the second and subsequently scale production.

The mibot features a distinctive retro design inspired by 1980s Polaroid cameras and is classified as a "moped car" in Japan, which offers lower tax and no mandatory inspections. Key specifications include a 100 km (62-mile) range, a top speed of 60 km/h (37 mph), and a five-hour charging time using a standard 100V household outlet. Despite its simple design, which includes manual windows to reduce costs, it is equipped with air conditioning and will support over-the-air (OTA) software updates. The company has received thousands of pre-orders and plans to begin mass production in 2025, with initial deliveries slated for Hiroshima and Tokyo.

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