Kia's factory in Zilina (Slovakia) is converting to electric vehicles
- Kia's Žilina plant, operational since 2007, has until now produced internal combustion engine and hybrid vehicles (Ceed, ProCeed, XCeed, Sportage). A major change is coming this fall 2025, as the first battery electric cars (Kia EV4) will be produced there. The Žilina plant in Slovakia is thus following the strategy already implemented at Hyundai's Nosovice plant in the Czech Republic, which has been producing the battery electric Hyundai Kona since 2020.
- Kia plans to produce 180,000 battery electric vehicles per year at its Slovakian site in Zilina from 2027 onwards, representing 60% of the plant's capacity, while Hyundai currently produces only 10% battery electric vehicles (Hyundai Kona) at its Nosovice plant, which has identical production capacity (300,000 vehicles per year) and has not communicated any targets for 2027.
- Kia's Zilina plant has been a resounding success, with production volumes frequently exceeding 200,000 units per year (for 16 out of 19 years) and even surpassing 250,000 units per year (for 7 out of 19 years). This success is primarily attributable to the Sportage SUV, which has enjoyed considerable popularity in Europe over the past decade (all models produced in Zilina are sold in Europe).
- After the EV4 model (C-segment sedan) was introduced on the Zilina assembly lines in September 2025, the EV2 model (B-segment SUV), which will be officially presented in January 2026, will be added during 2026. Logically, the EV3 model (C-segment SUV) should be produced at this site from 2027.