Though its first three-row electrical SUV has been a success within the US to date, Kia will wait till subsequent 12 months to scale up manufacturing. Kia is easing the EV9 into manufacturing at its West Level, Georgia, plant because it waits for it to qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit score.
After launching the three-row electrical SUV within the US final December, Kia has already bought almost 14,000 fashions this 12 months.
With one other 2,388 bought in August final month, EV9 gross sales reached 13,874 via the primary eight months of 2024. The expansion helped propel Kia to its greatest US gross sales month in firm historical past, its second straight month topping the file.
Regardless of the new begin, Kia is ready to scale up EV9 manufacturing within the US. Kia America COO and govt vp Steven Middle informed Automotive Information the choice comes over advanced {qualifications} to qualify for the $7,500 tax credit score, significantly the battery meeting necessities.
Kia’s first EV9 rolled off the manufacturing line at its GA plant in Could. Nevertheless, it can wait till the spring to ramp up output.
Kia is easing the EV9 into manufacturing within the US
The EV9 was anticipated to be the primary Hyundai Motor Group automobile to qualify for the complete $7,500 EV tax credit score.
Hyundai Motor will open the doorways at its huge new $7.6 billion Metaplant America subsequent month, the place it can construct new Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia EVs. The up to date 2025 IONIQ 5 would be the first to roll off the meeting line later this 12 months.
The battery portion isn’t anticipated to return on-line till subsequent 12 months, so automobiles constructed on the facility will solely obtain a $3,750 credit score.
Hyundai Motors’ three way partnership with SK On is predicted to start operations within the second half of 2025. The partnership will safe a US battery provide for Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia EVs within the US. Kia America’s COO didn’t reveal the place the EV9’s batteries might be constructed.
Middle did say the incentives (each federal and state) are a “huge leveling discipline when it comes to the worth of vehicles.”
If the $7,500 tax credit score had been eradicated, as former President Donald Trump has mentioned he plans to do if elected, it will “impression plenty of middle-class and under consumers,” Middle defined.
Based on Motor Intelligence, Kia’s EV9 was among the many most discounted automobiles within the US in June. The EV9 had a mean low cost of $18,081.
| Kia EV9 Trim | MSRP (together with $1,495 vacation spot charge) |
EPA Est. Vary (miles) |
| Gentle RWD | $56,395 | 230 |
| Gentle Lengthy Vary RWD |
$60,695 | 304 |
| Wind e-AWD | $65,395 | 280 |
| Land e-AWD | $71,395 | 280 |
| GT-Line e-AWD | $73,900 | 270 |
Regardless of a sizzling gross sales begin, it seems to be like Kia will wait till subsequent 12 months to scale up EV9 manufacturing for US consumers. Till then, the corporate will proceed to lean into leasing as an possibility.
Nevertheless, even that loophole is “very fragile,” because it may nonetheless be revoked, Middle defined.
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