#USA #Savannah #Kia America #Hyundai Motor #Kia Sportage

A New Era for Kia America: The Launch of the 2027 Sportage Hybrid

On June 3, 2026, Kia America and Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) celebrated a historic milestone with the launch of production for the 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid in Savannah, Georgia. This event signifies not only the introduction of a new hybrid model but also marks three significant achievements for the advanced manufacturing facility: it's the first Kia model produced there, the first hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and the third vehicle assembled at the site. This production endeavor reinforces the commitment of Kia America to innovative vehicle design and local manufacturing in Georgia.

The Kia Sportage Hybrid joins the ranks of award-winning electric vehicles such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 9, showcasing the vast capabilities of Hyundai Motor Group in propulsion systems. The design of HMGMA was strategically created to accommodate a variety of powertrain systems with minimal modifications, boasting the ability to produce up to ten distinct vehicle models. This flexible manufacturing approach not only promotes efficiency but also propels Kia towards a promising future in hybrid and electric vehicle markets.

Brian Kemp, the Governor of Georgia, remarked on the significance of this launch, stating, "Marty and I are proud to join Sean Yoon of Kia, Stuart Countess, and the entire Metaplant team to celebrate this historic moment for our great state. Our mutual success is a direct result of our proven collaboration in building lasting relationships between Kia America, HMG's Metaplant, the local community, and Georgia's workforce. We look forward to this new vehicle joining the lineup of Georgia-made vehicles and contributing to job creation in our communities for years to come."

Sean Yoon, President and CEO of Kia North America, emphasized the impact of this project on both the state and the company, stating, "This marks an important milestone for Kia in Georgia and for our customers across the country. The Metaplant in Savannah represents our second major investment in Georgia and is a clear testament to our confidence in the state's future as a key automotive hub. We firmly believe that Metaplant will sustain the momentum gained by the Sportage Hybrid since its upgrade last year, quickly turning it into one of our top-selling models.”

Tony Heo, the President and CEO of HMGMA, shared his excitement about this achievement, saying, “This is an exciting moment for all of us at HMGMA. Thanks to 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.” He continued to highlight that this event marks a significant step forward in building a sustainable future for mobility through top-tier manufacturing based in Georgia.

The moment was further highlighted by the presence of about 200 Meta Pros from HMGMA, who celebrated their extensive preparations for the new propulsion system. Numerous team members traveled to Kia’s facility in West Point, Georgia, as well as to South Korea, to learn best practices for producing the Sportage Hybrid, ensuring that HMGMA is poised to deliver the highest standards of quality, efficiency, and performance. This commitment to excellence underlines the substantial investment made in local job creation, which currently employs over 3,200 people at the Kia factory in West Point and about 2,000 Meta professionals at HMGMA, many of whom hail from Georgia.

The inaugural event was attended by distinguished guests, including Governor Brian Kemp, Sean Yoon, and Stuart Countess from Kia Georgia. During the ceremony, the first Kia Sportage Hybrid assembled at HMGMA made its debut, showcased via an autonomous mobile robot (AMR), symbolizing the innovative technology embedded throughout the facility. Governor Kemp even took a ride in the vehicle during the presentation, illustrating the cutting-edge innovations integrated into the Meta plant.

The introduction of the Kia Sportage Hybrid is a pivotal move in expanding HMGMA's production portfolio for the three brands under Hyundai Motor Group—Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis. It reinforces the group’s position as a global leader in intelligent manufacturing, electrification, and sustainable mobility solutions, with Kia capable of producing up to 550,000 vehicles annually from both facilities in West Point and Savannah. As of now, no future model plans have been announced.

Kia America, headquartered in Irvine, California, continues to top automotive quality surveys. Recognized as one of the “World’s Most Sustainable Companies” by TIME Magazine for 2025, Kia also serves as the “Official Automotive Partner” of the NBA and WNBA, offering a diverse range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles through a robust network of nearly 800 dealerships across the United States, including several SUVs proudly assembled in the nation. For more information, including media materials, visit www.kiamedia.com.