Kia EV9 Begins Production in America, First EV to be Made in Georgia

Jun 01, 2024 01:22 AM EDT

KIA EV9 ELECTRIC CAR — (Photo : PEXELS/HYUNDAI MOTOR GROUP)

Production of the Kia EV9 in the US started with the inaugural model rolling off the assembly line at Kia's Georgia plant this week. Employees at Kia's West Point assembly plant gathered on Thursday to mark the beginning of production which stands as Kia's premier electric vehicle.

This significant moment signifies a notable accomplishment as the EV9 becomes the first commercially available electric vehicle manufactured in Georgia.

First EV Made in Georgia, Kia EV9

Kia has initiated American production of the EV9 electric SUV in Georgia, marking a significant milestone for several reasons. Firstly, this production launch establishes the EV9 as the inaugural electric vehicle assembled in Georgia.

Secondly. this development indicates that the competitively priced electric SUV is poised to become even more affordable. As part of the assembly alongside the Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride models, the EV9 will now be manufactured in the U.S. to cater to American consumers.

As reported by EconoTimes, the popular three-row Kia EV9 has seen considerable success thus far; however, a notable limitation has been its production in Korea, rendering it ineligible for a potential tax credit of up to $7,500 unless acquired via leasing.

The landscape is set to shift imminently since, as of the present moment, the EV9 stands as an SUV produced in the United States following American production in Georgia.

Kia, in collaboration with Georgia officials, declared that the operational status of the West Point facility where the manufacturer operates has been confirmed without encountering the delays commonly seen in other electric vehicle plants.

At present, the Kia EV9 is manufactured at the Autoland Gwangmyeong car plant situated in South Korea. Initially, Kia had planned to produce around 50,000 units for the first year at this facility. Following this, the company aims to expand its production globally starting this year.

This location served as Kia's sole production site for the EV9 until the American production starts, with an output capacity of approximately 140 vehicles per day. As reported by Electrek, Kia unveiled the EV9 in March 2023, commencing deliveries in Korea in June of the same year.

Priced from $54,900 in the U.S., the EV9 is labeled by Kia as a market "wake-up call." With global sales surpassing 48,000 units, Kia is on track to reach 50,000 sales within its inaugural year on the market. The U.S., Kia's primary market, saw the initiation of deliveries towards the end of last year.

In the initial four months of 2024, Kia has already sold more than 5,500 EV9 models. The robust demand for this substantial electric SUV enabled Kia to achieve record-breaking monthly EV sales in April, registering a remarkable +60% increase compared to the previous high in April 2022.

About Kia EV9

According to Digital Trends, if the pricing for the 2025 iteration of the EV9 mirrors that of the 2024 model, the base EV9 Light RWD is expected to commence at $48,895 post-tax credit, a reduction from the previous $56,395 inclusive of a $1,495 destination fee.

The majority of customers may opt to upgrade to the Light Long Range RWD variant, priced at $53,195, offering an extended range of 304 miles compared to the previous 230 miles. Alternatively, customers could choose the Wind e-AWD model, now priced at $57,895, providing a range of 280 miles.