Gov. Kemp, Hyundai celebrate production of Kia Sportage Hybrid

Hyundai Motor Company announced plans to build the Kia Sportage Hybrid in the United States for the first time at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia. The Sportage Hybrid is currently built in South Korea, and HMGMA’s leadership framed the move as a milestone toward domestic production of hybrids. Tony Heo, President and CEO of HMGMA, noted that the plant’s flexible system and Metaplant team are ready to support the first Kia model produced in Georgia. The Sportage Hybrid X will start at a base MSRP of $30,490 and achieve about 42 mpg, with five trims available. Officials including Gov. Brian Kemp attended the ceremony, highlighting Georgia’s role in attracting manufacturing jobs and investment. The West Point Kia facility employs more than 3,000 workers, while HMGMA has nearly 2,000 metapros, and the company aims to ramp up to 500,000 vehicles annually. Jose Muñoz of Hyundai cited rising hybrid and EV demand as a backdrop for the project.