Kia Corporation has officially inaugurated the Kia Gwangmyeong EVO Plant, marking Hyundai Motor Group’s first factory dedicated entirely to electric vehicles (EVs). Situated at Kia Autoland Gwangmyeong in South Korea, the facility has an annual production capacity of 150,000 units. Production of the Kia EV3 began earlier this year, with the EV4 set to roll off the line in the first half of 2025.
Kia held a ceremony to celebrate the plant’s opening, hosting around 150 guests, including notable figures such as Jun Young Choi, Kia’s Executive Vice President and Head of Domestic Production Division; Seung Won Park, Mayor of Gwangmyeong City; and members of the National Assembly, O Kyeong Lim and Nam Hee Kim.
During the event, Jun Young Choi emphasized Kia’s commitment to leading the EV market: “The completion of the Kia Gwangmyeong EVO Plant solidifies Kia’s first major step as an EV leader since our brand relaunch in 2021. Our focus is on providing sustainable mobility solutions, and we will drive innovation in the EV market while contributing to a sustainable future.”
The Gwangmyeong EVO Plant, covering approximately 60,000 square meters and with an investment of KRW 401.6 billion, is a key part of Kia’s strategy to adapt to shifting global EV demand. The plant stands out as a dedicated EV production hub, rebuilt from the former Gwangmyeong Plant 2, which was originally constructed in 1987 to produce small combustion engine vehicles like the Kia Pride, Avella, and Stonic. This transformation highlights the Group’s commitment to next-generation vehicle production, making the Gwangmyeong EVO Plant a cornerstone of Kia’s EV expansion plans.
