A facility that embodies constant change and innovation, Kia AutoLand Gwangmyeong was established in 1973 as Korea’s first integrated automobile factory with a conveyor belt production process, ushering in the country's full-scale automobile production era. Soon, it will become the first dedicated EV factory in Korea with construction expected to be completed by the first half of this year.

The timing is appropriate as 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of Kia’s founding and the 50th anniversary of the launch of Kia’s first passenger car, the Brisa, produced at Kia AutoLand Gwangmyeong.

The redevelopment of Kia AutoLand Gwangmyeong EV Plant will be completed in the second quarter of this year. The upgraded facility will produce the brand’s EV3, a compact electric crossover, for domestic and international sales. Kia aims to contribute significantly towards the overall group strategy of becoming one of the top three global EV manufacturers by 2030.

Focusing on 2024 and beyond, Chung said, “I am excited about the series of innovations in electrification that will start here at AutoLand Gwangmyeong, the Group’s first EV-dedicated plant, and expand to Ulsan, the United States and beyond.”

As part of the brand’s evolving sustainability efforts, Kia Philippines introduced the Kia EV6 Battery Electric Vehicle in 2023 for P 3.788 million. Its 229 horsepower and 350 Nm Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, rear-wheel drive configuration makes it a potent crossover for five. Its estimated range of 528 kilometers on a single charger also gives it real-world practicality and performance.