Kia begins Sportage Hybrid production at US plant, solidifying electrification hub status

Kia has commenced production of its popular compact SUV, the Sportage Hybrid, at Hyundai Motor Group's Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, USA. This significant milestone is the first time the HMGMA facility, which began operations two years ago, has manufactured a Kia-branded vehicle.

The Sportage Hybrid is not only the inaugural Kia model to roll off the HMGMA assembly line but also the plant's first hybrid vehicle. Within the broader Hyundai Motor Group, it follows the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 as the third electrified vehicle produced at the facility. Kia highlighted that this development solidifies HMGMA's role as a versatile production base capable of handling both electric and hybrid vehicles.

This move is part of Kia's strategy to increase local production of hybrid models in the United States. The company previously began producing hybrid models at its Georgia plant in West Point in February. The commencement of Sportage Hybrid production at HMGMA, attended by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Kia North America regional head Yoon Seung-kyu, underscores the growing importance of electrification and localized manufacturing for the automotive group in the North American market.