On the strength of best-ever sales performances by the EV9 and Sportage nameplates, Kia America delivered more EVs and SUVs in the U.S. in May than any previous month in company history. Kia achieved sales growth in May with 75,156 units sold during the month.

Thursday marked a historic milestone at Kia Georgia’s assembly plant in West Point as team members gathered to celebrate the start of assembly of the all-electric 2025 EV9 three-row SUV, the first saleable electric vehicle assembled in the state of Georgia. The vehicle was introduced by SeungKyu (Sean) Yoon, President and CEO for Kia North America and Kia America, then driven off the assembly line by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and James Watson, Kia Georgia’s Vice President of Production.

Living up to the “everything’s bigger in Texas” adage, the Kia EV9 three-row SUV was named “Electric Vehicle of Texas” at the 2024 Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) Auto Roundup. In addition, Kia’s new flagship was deemed “Best in Class” in the Performance SUV, Mid-size CUV and Electric Vehicle categories by the attending TAWA members.