Mexico City — Mexico’s economy secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, announced Wednesday a $649 million investment by South Korean automaker Kia to produce its first fully electric vehicle in the country.
Production of the Kia EV3 will begin Aug. 4, 2026, at the company’s plant in Pesquería, Nuevo León, becoming the brand’s first all-electric model built in Mexico. The compact SUV had previously been manufactured in South Korea.
“Originally this manufacturing was done in South Korea, but now it will be done in Mexico. This represents a development opportunity for Mexico,” Ebrard said during the government’s morning news conference.
An advanced compact SUV
The EV3 is a fully electric compact SUV that Kia describes as one of the most technologically advanced models in its lineup. Built on the company’s E-GMP platform, it offers a range of up to 600 kilometers and uses fourth-generation NMC battery technology.
Jobs and capacity expansion
The investment will expand production capacity at the Pesquería plant and is expected to generate about 2,900 direct and indirect jobs in the region.
Kia’s announcement adds to a wave of automotive investment in Nuevo León, fueled by nearshoring and the global shift to electric mobility. Along with other major investments, such as Tesla’s, the state has become a strategic hub for electromobility in Latin America.
Official launch scheduled
The formal launch of the Kia EV3 in Mexico is set for Aug. 6, when officials are expected to provide more details on production plans and sales.
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