Kia begins EV3 production in Mexico ahead of U.S. launch

Kia has commenced production of the EV3 compact electric SUV at its manufacturing plant in Pesquería, Nuevo León, Mexico. This marks the first time the automaker will assemble 100% electric vehicles in the country. The project involves a $649 million investment scheduled between 2026 and 2028 to expand facility capacity, which is expected to create 500 direct jobs this year and an additional 1,500 jobs through 2030.

Following the production launch in Mexico, the 2027 Kia EV3 is arriving in the United States market. The vehicle is positioned as an entry-level electric SUV with a starting MSRP of $29,890 for the Light FWD trim. The lineup includes five configurations: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT.

Technical specifications for the U.S. models include a standard 58.3 kWh battery providing an EPA-estimated 221 miles of range, and an 81.4 kWh battery offering up to 321 miles of range for front-wheel-drive variants. All North American models feature a native NACS charging port for compatibility with the Tesla Supercharger network. The interior features Kia’s ccNC infotainment system with dual 12.3-inch screens and wireless smartphone integration.