Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America has begun assembling the 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid, the Georgia plant’s first hybrid electric vehicle and its first Kia-branded model. The start of production also makes the Sportage Hybrid the third vehicle built at the site, joining the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 electric SUVs already on the line. The move expands the range of SUVs that Kia America assembles in the United States and deepens the automaker’s nearly two-decade manufacturing presence in Georgia.
Highlights
- The 2027 Sportage Hybrid is the first hybrid and first Kia model built at HMGMA, and the third vehicle assembled there overall.
- HMGMA was designed for powertrain flexibility and can build up to 10 different vehicles with minimal modifications between them.
- Kia’s nearby West Point factory employs more than 3,200 workers; HMGMA adds close to 2,000.
- Kia now has annual capacity for up to 550,000 vehicles across the West Point and HMGMA plants.
A Flexible Plant Takes On Its First Hybrid
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America was engineered to handle multiple powertrains, a capability built into the plant’s original design that lets different vehicles share the same lines with minimal changes. The facility can produce up to 10 different models, and adding the Sportage Hybrid alongside the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9 puts gasoline-hybrid and battery-electric assembly under one roof.
“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.”
Roughly 200 plant workers attended the production milestone, many of whom had traveled to Kia’s West Point, Georgia operations and to South Korea to learn Sportage Hybrid build practices. During the ceremony, the first unit was driven to the stage on an Autonomous Mobile Robot, with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp riding in the vehicle.
Kia Deepens Its Georgia Footprint
Kia introduced the current Sportage Hybrid within the past year, and its US assembly now begins at HMGMA. The company’s separate West Point factory already builds the second-generation Telluride, the all-electric EV9 and EV6, and gasoline versions of the Sportage and Sorento SUVs.
“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.”
Together, the two plants anchor a substantial Georgia workforce: West Point counts more than 3,200 team members, while HMGMA adds close to 2,000. “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,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.
Production Capacity and Future Models
With the Sportage Hybrid added, Kia now has annual capacity for up to 550,000 vehicles across the West Point and HMGMA facilities. HMGMA builds across Hyundai Motor Group’s three brands — Kia, Hyundai and Genesis. The company did not release future model plans for the plant.
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