Kia Motors is embarking on a significant expansion of its sole manufacturing facility in the United States to make way for the production of its inaugural electric three-row SUV, the Kia EV9. This marks the automaker’s first electric vehicle (EV) to be assembled in North America, with assembly operations slated to commence at the West Point plant in Georgia next year.
In a recent announcement, Kia revealed plans for a substantial investment of over $200 million in the expansion project, which will generate nearly 200 additional employment opportunities in the region.
While the Georgia facility has previously manufactured four different models, the EV9 will be the first all-electric vehicle to join the lineup. Sean Yoon, President and CEO of Kia North America, expressed his enthusiasm for the forthcoming EV, stating that the “EV9 has the potential to be another groundbreaking development for Kia.” He further added, “This will be the most advanced vehicle we have ever produced and will make a striking impression in the EV market and on the roads. What’s more, it will be manufactured right here in West Point, Georgia.”
In March of this year, Kia officially unveiled the EV9 electric SUV, which garnered acclaim for its distinctive design and cutting-edge features. Representing Kia’s largest electric car to date and its premier three-row electric SUV, the EV9 exemplifies the company’s progressive vision for the new era of electrification.
The EV9 incorporates an array of state-of-the-art in-vehicle technologies, including Kia’s highly advanced Highway Driving Pilot, over-the-air (OTA) updates, onboard power generator functionality (V2L), and ultra-wideband-based Digital Key.
Despite its technological advancements, Kia remains committed to the SUV segment, asserting that the EV9 offers genuine SUV capabilities. These include a ground clearance of 7.8 inches, a maximum cargo space of up to 81.9 cubic feet behind the first row, a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds, and an available torque-vectoring dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
Built on the Hyundai Motor Group’s 800-volt Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the same platform used for the IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, and Kia EV6, the EV9 incorporates fast-charging capabilities. It is designed to recharge from 10% to 80% battery capacity (adding 148 miles of driving range) in under 25 minutes.
The EV9 will be offered with two powertrain options. The standard version will feature a fourth-generation 76.1 kWh battery coupled with a 215 horsepower (160 kW) motor. Additionally, a 99.8 kWh battery pack will be available with a single motor, providing a range of up to 300 miles, or a dual-motor configuration with torque-vectoring AWD, delivering 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
Production of the EV9 is expected to commence at the West Point plant in Georgia during the second quarter of 2024. Kia recently began delivering the electric SUV to customers in South Korea, where it garnered an impressive 13,000 preorders within the first eight days of availability.
While Kia has not yet released pricing details for the US market, initial European prices indicate that the EV9 will likely start at around $65,000 to $70,000 for the larger battery pack variant and approximately $60,000 for the standard model.
