Hyundai Motor America’s newest “metaplant” in Georgia, a highly automated, smart manufacturing facility, started production of its first Kia America vehicle on June 2.
Kia, which is owned by South Korea-based Hyundai Motor Group along with Hyundai and Genesis, is assembling its new Sportage Hybrid line at the manufacturing facility. The Sportage marks the metaplant’s first time building a Kia model and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain.
Dubbed the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, the factory also makes Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 EV models. The Hyundai group plans to expand the plant’s capacity to include vehicles from all three automotive brands.
“Kia looks to expand the number of SUVs produced for and sold within the US market and further accelerate electrification of their entire line-up,” the Irvine automaker said in a statement.
