Kia vehicles are primarily made in South Korea, with additional production facilities in the United States, Slovakia, Mexico, India, and China serving regional markets worldwide.
Kia is known for its bold design philosophy called Opposites United, competitive pricing relative to its features and quality, and a strong warranty program that has helped it build significant brand loyalty in North America over the past two decades.
Kia Corporation is a member of the Hyundai Motor Group, with Hyundai Motor Company holding approximately 33.88% of Kia’s shares, making it a strategic partner and fellow brand rather than a fully owned subsidiary, operating alongside Hyundai and Genesis under one of the world’s largest automotive conglomerates.
Knowing where Kia vehicles are made helps buyers understand which plants build their specific model, whether it is domestically assembled, and what level of quality oversight governs production.
This article covers Kia’s ownership structure, its main production locations, which models are assembled in the US, how Kia differs from Hyundai despite sharing a parent group, and what is next for Kia manufacturing.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Kia?
Kia Corporation is a publicly traded South Korean automaker listed on the Korea Stock Exchange. Hyundai Motor Company is Kia’s largest shareholder, holding approximately 33.88% of the company.
Despite this significant stake, Kia is not a fully owned subsidiary of Hyundai. It operates with considerable independence across engineering, design, and marketing.
Hyundai Motor Group serves as the umbrella organizational framework for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
The three brands share engineering platforms, research and development centers, and supply chain resources, but each brand manages its own model lineup, design language, and market positioning independently.
Kia became part of Hyundai Motor Group in 1998 following a corporate restructuring during South Korea’s financial crisis. Before that, Kia had been an independent company since its founding in 1944.
The partnership has transformed both brands into globally competitive automakers with a combined market presence that rivals the world’s largest automotive groups.
Where Are Kias Made in South Korea?
South Korea is home to Kia’s primary manufacturing facilities. The Hwasung plant is Kia’s largest domestic factory, producing models including the Sportage and K5.
The Gwangmyeong plant, formerly known as the Sohari plant, assembles the Carnival and other core models. The Gwangju plant produces the Soul and various electric models including the EV5.
These Korean plants have been the backbone of Kia’s production since the brand transitioned from bicycles and motorcycles into full automobile manufacturing in the 1970s. South Korea remains the largest single source of Kia vehicles globally even as international production has expanded significantly.
Kia’s joint research and development operations with Hyundai are located at the Namyang and Mabuk centers in South Korea, where shared platform work and powertrain development takes place for both brands.
Which Kias Are Made in the United States?
Kia’s US manufacturing is centered at the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia plant in West Point, Georgia, which opened in 2009. The plant sits on 2,200 acres, employs approximately 2,700 direct Kia workers, and has a production capacity of around 360,000 vehicles per year.
As of 2026, the Georgia plant assembles the Telluride three row SUV, the Sorento midsize SUV, the Sportage compact SUV, and the K5 sedan. Kia has also added the EV6 and EV9 electric vehicles to the Georgia plant’s production lineup, making it Kia’s central hub for North American electric vehicle assembly as well.
Hyundai Motor Group has also begun ramping production at its new Metaplant America facility near Savannah, Georgia, which is expected to add Kia branded electric models to its production roster in 2026 as the plant expands capacity beyond the Hyundai Ioniq models it currently assembles.
Where Are Kias Made Outside Korea and the USA?
In Europe, Kia operates a plant in Žilina, Slovakia that produces models specifically tailored for European markets, including the Sportage and various Ceed family models. This plant has been operational since 2006 and serves as Kia’s primary European production base.
In Mexico, the Kia Motors Mexico plant in Pesquería, Nuevo León assembles the K4 compact sedan, which replaced the Forte for the North American market.
This facility has been operational since 2016 and primarily serves the North and South American markets with compact entry level models.
Kia also has manufacturing operations in India, with a plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh that opened in 2019 and produces models for the Indian domestic market. In China, Kia operates joint venture facilities in Yancheng serving the Chinese market.
Kia vs Hyundai: Are They the Same Company?
Kia and Hyundai are separate brands that operate under the same parent group, Hyundai Motor Group, but they are not the same company. They produce different vehicles under different brand identities targeting different market positions. No Kia model is a rebadged Hyundai, though some models share underlying engineering platforms.
Kia has positioned itself with bolder, more stylish designs compared to Hyundai’s more conservative aesthetic in recent years. The Telluride, EV6, and Sportage are examples of Kia models that have earned their own strong identities in the market independent of any Hyundai comparison.
Manufacturing stays separate too. Kia produces its vehicles at its own plants in Georgia, Slovakia, Mexico, Korea, and India. Hyundai operates its own separate set of plants in Alabama, Czech Republic, and Korea. The two brands share suppliers and R&D but not production lines.
What Is Next for Kia Manufacturing?
Kia has made a major push into electric vehicles as a central part of its global strategy. The EV6 and EV9 have been significant market successes, earning strong reviews and sales in North America and Europe. Both are now being assembled at the Georgia plant, bringing more of Kia’s EV production to US soil.
The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America near Savannah is expected to begin assembling Kia branded models in 2026 as part of the facility’s phased production ramp. This new plant has an annual capacity of 300,000 battery electric vehicles and represents the group’s largest US manufacturing investment.
Kia has set a target for significant electrification of its global lineup by 2030. The brand’s Purpose Built Vehicle program, which includes the PV5 and PV7 electric commercial vans, signals that Kia intends to expand well beyond passenger vehicles into commercial and fleet segments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Kia is Made
Is Kia made by Hyundai?
Kia is not made by Hyundai, but both brands are part of Hyundai Motor Group. Kia operates as an independent brand with its own engineering, design, and manufacturing. Hyundai Motor Company holds approximately 33.88% of Kia’s shares, making it a significant shareholder, not the outright owner.
Is the Kia Telluride made in the USA?
Yes. The Kia Telluride is assembled at the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia plant in West Point, Georgia. The Telluride has been built in Georgia since its launch in 2019 and has been one of the plant’s flagship models throughout its production run.
Where is the Kia Soul made?
The Kia Soul is assembled at the Gwangju plant in South Korea. It has always been a Korea only build and is not part of any North American assembly program. The Soul is exported from South Korea to all global markets where it is sold.
When did Kia start making cars in America?
Kia began US manufacturing in 2009 when its West Point, Georgia plant opened. The plant started production with the Sorento SUV and has expanded significantly since then to include the Telluride, Sportage, K5, EV6, and EV9.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.