Kia Corporation, a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, has celebrated the completion of the group’s first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) production facility in South Korea.
The new plant, located in Gwangmyeong, has an annual production capacity of 150,000 BEVs. It already produces the EV3 compact sedan and is now ready to launch production of the EV4 midsize sedan scheduled for early 2025.
Kia said the Kia Gwangmyeong EVO Plant, a name derived from the word “Evolution”, demonstrates how the company will “continue to change and move forward in its aim to become a leader in the future of mobility”. The celebrations were attended by Jun Young Choi, head of Kia’s Domestic Production Division; Seung Won Park, Mayor of Gwangmyeong City; and National Assembly members O Kyeong Lim and Nam Hee Kim.
Jun Young Choi, speaking at the ceremony, said “The completion of the Kia Gwangmyeong EVO Plant solidifies Kia’s first step as an EV leader following the company’s brand relaunch in 2021. With the goal of providing sustainable mobility solutions, we will lead innovation in the EV market and fulfil our responsibilities in helping to deliver a sustainable future.”
Seung Won Park said: “The completion of the Kia Gwangmyeong EVO Plant will help Gwangmyeong City to establish itself at the center of the EV industry in South Korea. Through this we will strive to promote sustainable development of the local economy and create more jobs."
Kia said it has spent KRW402bn (US$304m) and approximately one year to transform the previous Gwangmyeong Plant 2 into the Kia Gwangmyeong EVO Plant, adding “the body shop is now a high-tech logistics factory thanks to the introduction of automated guided (AGV) forklifts and the green credentials of the paint shop have been increased by applying the water-based 3C1B method instead of the previous oil-based 3C2B method.“
New equipment has also been introduced to reduce the workload of plant employees, including machinery that automatically installs high-voltage batteries, wheels and tyres on the vehicles.
