Kia Opens Its First Dedicated EV Facility With Annual Production Capacity of 1.5 Lakh Units

Kia Corporation has officially opened the doors of its Gwangmyeong plant, marking Hyundai Motor Group's first fully dedicated electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing facility. Located at Kia Autoland Gwangmyeong, the new plant is set to play a critical role in the brand’s EV future, with an annual production capacity of 1.5 lakh units. The facility has already begun mass-producing the Kia EV3 and will start production of the EV4 in 2025. 

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The Gwangmyeong plant was converted from an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicle plant into a cutting-edge EV manufacturing hub. The site, which once churned out small petrol-powered cars like the Kia Pride and Avella, has been completely transformed. Kia invested approximately KRW 401.6 billion (approx. ₹25.58 lakh crore) and about a year of reconstruction work to overhaul the existing facility, which spans 60,000 square meters. This transformation isn’t just about a fancy new building—it's a part of Kia’s broader strategy to secure its place at the forefront of the EV revolution.

The factory itself embodies the phrase “pursuing maximum change through minimal expansion,” keeping its environmental footprint in check while embracing modern production techniques. At a time when "eco-friendly" is often more marketing than substance, Kia has incorporated genuinely green practices, like switching to water-based paint in the 3C1B process rather than the oil-based 3C2B method. The shift isn’t only better for the planet but helps Kia check another box on the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) checklist everyone’s talking about these days.

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Kia isn’t just relying on green paint to revolutionise the plant; it’s going full steam ahead on automation. Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) now roam the facility, handling logistical tasks like high-tech Roombas for car parts. Robots are also lending a hand (or mechanical arm) in the assembly of key components, such as high-voltage batteries, wheels, and tyres. All this automation might reduce workloads for employees, but it also keeps Kia in line with modern production trends—automated plants are simply faster, more efficient, and, ideally, less error-prone.

The Gwangmyeong plant isn’t just a tech showcase—it’s where Kia’s latest and greatest EV models will be made. The compact EV3, which began production earlier this year, is Kia’s third dedicated electric model, following the successful EV6 crossover and the flagship EV9 SUV. Next up is the EV4, set for production in 2025, and it will be a mid-sized electric sedan aiming to win over more eco-conscious buyers.