Where Are Kia Cars Made? - Manufacturing Locations Guide

Ever wondered if your sleek new Sorento rolled off an assembly line in Seoul or somewhere closer to home? The origin of your vehicle matters more than you might think.

Founded in 1944, Kia has grown from a local bicycle-parts maker to a global automotive leader. It now produces about 3.1 million vehicles every year. This makes it one of the biggest car makers in the world, just behind Hyundai Motor Group, which owns 34 % of it.

At Kiefer Kia, knowing where cars are made can help you choose the right one. Kia operates factories across the globe, allowing it to serve regional markets efficiently while keeping quality high.

Kia’s cars start their journey in South Korea and then go to dedicated plants in Asia, Europe, and North America. Each site builds specific models tuned to local tastes and road conditions.

Let’s dive into the worldwide network behind these popular cars and discover how Kia’s global production strategy brings quality vehicles to American driveways.

The Global Footprint of Kia Manufacturing

Kia builds about 3.1 million vehicles every year at 14 manufacturing sites in eight countries. This vast footprint lets Kia reach customers everywhere, and the brand’s reputation for quality has won strong loyalty in the United States.

Kia also operates research centres in Korea, the US, Japan, and Germany—facilities that continually refine design, safety, and efficiency. At Kiefer Kia, we’re proud to represent a brand so committed to innovation.

Kia’s South-Korean Origins and History

Kia’s story begins in South Korea. In 1973 it opened its first large-scale car factory, the Sohari Plant. The very next year it produced its first passenger car, the Brisa. In 1975 Kia exported its first model—the Brisa pickup—to Qatar, marking the start of its global journey.

Evolution into a Global Automotive Powerhouse

By expanding into Asia, Europe, and North America, Kia lowered logistics costs and adapted models for local tastes without sacrificing quality. A milestone was the West Point, Georgia plant, where mass-production began in November 2009 with the 2011-model-year Sorento. Today, that site turns out top-selling models such as the Telluride, Sportage, Sorento, and K5.

Where Are Kia Cars Made? A Comprehensive Overview

Customers often ask, “Where are Kia vehicles made?” The answer is a production network that spans three continents. While Kia’s roots are in South Korea, its expanded footprint keeps quality high and helps avoid import tariffs.

South-Korean Production Facilities

South Korea remains Kia’s manufacturing heart, anchored by four major vehicle plants. Autoland Gwangmyeong (the original Sohari facility) now produces the K9 and Carnival, while Autoland Hwaseong focuses on the K5 and Sportage.

Autoland Gwangju builds a range of SUVs and light commercial vehicles. The Seosan Plant—a joint venture with Donghee—assembles the Picanto (Morning) and Ray micro-cars at roughly 230,000 units a year. Together, these plants drive Kia’s global strategy and technological innovation.

North American Manufacturing: The West Point, Georgia Plant

Is Kia an American car? In many driveways, yes. Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point is massive—2.2 million square feet on 2,200 acres—with about 2,700 direct Kia employees and roughly 14,000 people when on-site suppliers are included.

KMMG can build 360,000 vehicles a year, producing the Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, and K5—all examples of Kia’s commitment to U.S.-grade quality.

European and Asian Production Centres

Kia’s strategy extends well beyond Korea and America. In Europe, the Žilina plant in Slovakia—capable of about 350,000 units annually—turns out the Ceed and Sportage. In Asia, Kia operates plants in Yancheng, China (300 k units), and Anantapur, India (300 k units). Additional production takes place in Mexico, Pakistan, and Vietnam, enabling efficient service of markets worldwide.

Kia Models and Their Manufacturing Origins

When you shop for a Kia, understanding where it was built can be helpful. Each location plays to its strengths, yet all plants follow Kia’s global quality standards.

American-Made Kia Vehicles: Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, and K5

The West Point plant exemplifies Kia’s commitment to American manufacturing. It produces the Telluride SUV, the Sorento and Sportage crossovers, and the K5 sedan.

These U.S.-built Kias represent a sizeable share of Kia’s North-American sales, and thousands of Georgia workers take pride in their craftsmanship. Choosing a Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, or K5 helps support American jobs.

Imported Models: Soul and Carnival

The Kia Soul is built at Autoland Gwangju in South Korea—its production home since launch. The Carnival (Sedona) is assembled at Autoland Gwangmyeong (the original Sohari plant) before being exported worldwide.

No matter where they originate, every Kia undergoes identical quality and durability checks.

How Manufacturing Location Affects Your Purchase

Does the build location matter? All Kias share the same warranty and rigorous quality benchmarks, but there are practical factors—like delivery time or parts availability—to consider. If supporting American manufacturing is important to you, the Georgia-built lineup offers a compelling choice.

Kia is a member of the Hyundai Motor Group—not Toyota or Ford. While Hyundai owns 34 % of Kia, the two brands maintain distinct design and production processes.

Visit Kiefer Kia and we’ll happily show you where any vehicle on our lot was built and what that means for you.

Visit Kiefer Kia for Your Next Vehicle

Kia began in South Korea and has become a truly global brand, but its headquarters remain in Seoul. The first Kia vehicles arrived in the United States in the early 1990s, kicking off a long partnership with American drivers.

Today’s worldwide factory network—including major sites in Slovakia and the United States—demonstrates Kia’s leadership in quality and innovation no matter where a vehicle is assembled.

Ready to experience a Kia yourself? Visit Kiefer Kia at 345 Goodpasture Island Rd, Eugene, OR 97401. Call 541-800-1852 to schedule a test-drive—we’ll help you find the perfect Kia and share its manufacturing story.

FAQ

Where are Kia cars made?

Kia cars are produced in South Korea, the United States, Slovakia, China, India, and several satellite factories in Mexico, Pakistan, and Vietnam.

Are any Kia cars made in America?

Yes! Kia builds the Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, and K5 at its Georgia plant. The facility employs about 2,700 direct Kia staff (and about 14,000 with suppliers) and can produce roughly 360,000 vehicles a year.

What country is Kia originally from?

Kia is from South Korea. It started as a steel-tube and bicycle-parts maker in 1944 and entered automobile production in the 1970s.

Where is the Kia Soul manufactured?

The Soul is built at Autoland Gwangju in South Korea and exported worldwide, including to the United States.

Where is the Kia Sportage made?

The Sportage is produced in South Korea, Slovakia, China, and since 2022 at West Point, Georgia in the United States. European models come from Slovakia, while most North-American models are built in Georgia.

Where is the Kia Carnival manufactured?

The Carnival (Sedona) is assembled at Autoland Gwangmyeong in South Korea and shipped to markets around the globe.

Who owns Kia Motors?

Kia is part of Hyundai Motor Group. Hyundai holds about 34 % of Kia’s equity, but each brand maintains its own design, engineering, and marketing identity.

When did Kia start making cars?

Kia opened its Sohari plant in 1973, and production of its first car—the Brisa—began in 1974. The Brisa pickup became Kia’s first export in 1975.

Does the manufacturing location affect the quality of Kia vehicles?

No. Kia applies identical engineering standards, quality controls, and warranties at every plant worldwide.

When did Kia start manufacturing cars in the United States?

Mass-production in the United States began in November 2009 with the 2011-model-year Sorento at West Point, Georgia. The plant has since expanded its line-up and workforce.