First 2025 Kia EV9 Electric SUV Rolls Off Assembly Line at Kia Georgia Plant

• Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp drove the first 2025 Kia EV9 off the assembly floor.
• Kia invested over $200 million to expand the Kia Georgia facility for EV manufacturing.
• Kia Georgia assembles the Kia Telluride, Sorento, and Sportage SUVs.
• Adding EV production to the Kia Georgia facility added 200 new jobs.

If you thought the Kia EV9 couldn’t get any better, the automaker proved it has more up its sleeve. Kia announced that the 2025 Kia EV9 will be assembled in the automaker’s plant in West Point, Georgia.

Celebrating an EV Milestone

The 2025 Kia EV9 is the first all-electric vehicle assembled in the Peach State. The celebrated event included SeungKyu Yoon (President and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America), Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and James Watson (Kia Georgia’s Vice President of Production). Once the first 2025 EV9 rolled off the assembly line, Mr. Watson and Gov. Kemp climbed in and drove it off the factory floor.

Governor Kemp said, “This expansion of Kia’s operations in our state and the addition of this incredible new product line to the vehicles already being built in West Point is just the latest example of what comes from state and local partners working with this valued job creator. I want to congratulate the Kia Georgia team members on today’s achievement and thank them for choosing the Peach State yet again as we work to become the e-mobility capital of the nation.”

Kia EV9 Accolades

The three-row EV SUV has already won several awards, garnering it much-deserved attention. Now that it’s assembled in the United States, it’s safe to say qualified buyers will be able to take advantage of the EV tax credits in the near future.

Yoon said about the Kia EV9, “Having achieved prestigious accolades such as World Car of the Year, World EV of the Year, and North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, EV9 will be in excellent hands with the team members at Kia Georgia and their track record for assembling award-winning, world-renowned products speaks for itself.”

About the Kia Georgia Facility

While the Kia EV9 electric SUV is the only electric vehicle produced at the Kia Georgia plant, it isn’t the only SUV. Kia assembles the Telluride, Sorento, and Sportage in the same facility. The automaker invested more than $200 million to add a flexible assembly line that can manage both EVs and ICE vehicles. The plant expansion also added approximately 200 new jobs.

The first Kia rolled off the Georgia assembly line in November 2009. Stuart Countess, President and CEO of Kia Georgia, celebrated the Kia Georgia team for their dedication and drive. He said, “We are excited for this chance to add Kia’s flagship EV to our facility and to enter this new era at Kia Georgia with the same quality focus of assembling the best vehicles in the world, right here in West Point.”

The Kia Georgia plant sits atop 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia. The facility has the capacity to assemble 350,000 vehicles annually. Kia Corporation has its headquarters in Seoul, Korea, and Kia Georgia, Inc. is the first manufacturing location in North America.

IMAGES: KIA

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