KIA starts production of the EV3 compact SUV in Mexico

KIA will begin manufacturing the EV3 in Mexico starting this very same 4 August at its Pesquería plant in Nuevo León. Until now this compact electric model was produced exclusively in South Korea, so this North American country is set to become the second assembly centre for this model.

To carry out production of the EV3 at this Mexican plant, the South Korean manufacturer has adapted an existing assembly line, a decision that proves more efficient than building a new line, especially given the current unstable environment, marked by tariffs, renegotiations of the North American trade agreement and uncertain demand.

The EV3 will be the first vehicle from the South Korean brand with a fully electric powertrain to be produced in Mexico. In this same country Ford already produces the Mustang Mach-E, also fully electric, at the Cuautitlán plant for years. KIA nonetheless aims to reach a significantly higher EV3 production volume, intended both for domestic consumption and for export.

Positive effects for the Mexican economy

Production of the EV3 at the Pesquería plant will generate 500 jobs this year and another 1,500 through to 2030. The EV3 will leave the line with 27 percent locally sourced components, a percentage that will grow over time. High-value components, especially the battery, will in any case continue to be imported from Asia in an initial phase.

This approach aligns with the Plan México, which seeks to attract advanced technology and raise national value added in the face of protectionist pressures. While some manufacturers are shifting capacity to the United States, KIA is betting on strengthening its presence on Mexican soil.

In Europe the EV3 is available with battery packs of 58.3 or 81.4 kWh, offering a range of up to 600 km WLTP with the higher-capacity battery pack. The powertrain, by contrast, is unique and is mounted on the front axle, capable of delivering 150 kW of power. For the time being, the South Korean manufacturer has not yet revealed which versions of this compact SUV will be assembled at the Pesquería plant in Mexico.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverKIA EV35 versions · from 37,040 €