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Key takeaways

HMGMA’s flexible plant integrates multiple powertrains and can produce up to ten different vehicles with minimal modifications.
Kia Sportage Hybrid joins the Hyundai lineup alongside IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, showcasing comprehensive powertrain capabilities.
Ceremony featured about 200 Meta Pros, visits to Kia facilities, and an Autonomous Mobile Robot debut with Governor Brian Kemp onboard.
The milestone expands Kia’s nearly two-decade Georgia commitment and grows workforce: over 3,200 at West Point and nearly 2,000 Meta Pros at HMGMA.

HMGMA and Kia America Celebrate Production of Kia Sportage Hybrid

ELLABELL, GA — Today Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) and Kia America (KUS) celebrated the start of production for its newest vehicle, marking three major milestones for the advanced manufacturing facility: the first Kia model, the first hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and the third vehicle to be produced at the site.

The Kia Sportage Hybrid now joins HMGMA’s lineup alongside award-winning Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, demonstrating Hyundai Motor Group’s comprehensive powertrain capabilities. This production flexibility was built into HMGMA’s original design, enabling seamless integration of different powertrains with minimal modifications. The plant has the ability to produce up to 10 different vehicles.

“Once again, Marty and I are proud to join Kia’s Sean Yoon, Stuart Countess and the entire Metaplant team to help celebrate this historic moment for our great state,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. “Our mutual success is the direct result of our proven partnership approach to creating long-lasting relationships between Kia America, HMG’s Metaplant, the local community, and hardworking Georgians. We look forward to this new vehicle joining the Georgia grown lineup and helping support jobs for our communities for years to come.”

“This marks a very important event for Kia in the state of Georgia and for our customers across the US,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia North America and Kia America. “Metaplant in Savannah is our second major investment in Georgia and is a clear testament to our confidence in this state’s future as an automotive powerhouse. We have great confidence that Metaplant will continue the strong momentum that Sportage Hybrid has achieved since updated last year to quickly became one of our highest volume models.”

“This is an exciting moment for all of us at HMGMA,” said Tony Heo, President and CEO of HMGMA. “Through the dedication of our Meta Pros and the strength of our flexible manufacturing system, we have successfully prepared to produce our first hybrid vehicle and our first Kia model. Today represents an important next step as we continue building the future of mobility through world-class manufacturing here in Georgia.”

This event expands the nearly two-decade commitment by Kia America to produce award-winning vehicles in the state of Georgia. Kia’s West Point factory currently assembles the all-new 2^nd generation Telluride, all-electric EV9 and EV6, and internal combustion powered versions of the popular Sportage and Sorento SUVs.

The celebration was attended by approximately 200 Meta Pros, who shared in the milestone after extensive preparation for the new powertrain. Many team members traveled to Kia facilities in West Point, Georgia and South Korea to learn best practices for Sportage Hybrid production, ensuring HMGMA is equipped to deliver the highest levels of quality, efficiency and performance.

Kia’s West Point facility currently employs more than 3,200 team members and HMGMA adds nearly 2,000 Meta Pros, with a very high percentage coming from the state of Georgia. Both facilities continue to create high-quality jobs and economic opportunities for their local communities and across the state.

Distinguished guests including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Kia North America and Kia America President and CEO Seungkyu (Sean) Yoon and Kia Georgia President and CEO Stuart Countess, joined the celebration. During the ceremony, the first Kia Sportage Hybrid assembled at HMGMA made its debut in a signature display of the plant’s advanced automation capabilities, traveling to the stage on an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR). Gov. Kemp rode in the vehicle as it was presented, highlighting the innovation and technology embedded throughout the Metaplant.

Following the reveal, the vehicle was signed by special guests.

The addition of the Kia Sportage Hybrid marks a significant step in expanding HMGMA’s production portfolio across Hyundai Motor Group’s three brands — Kia, Hyundai and Genesis —and reinforces the larger group’s leadership as a global leader in intelligent manufacturing, electrification and sustainable mobility.

HMGMA continues to expand its lineup as it continues to ramp up to a production goal of up to 500,000 vehicles annually. Future model plans are not being released at this time.