Kia Begins EV3 Production in Mexico, Opening Path to North American Sales
· EVTrader EV News
Kia started production of the EV3 compact electric crossover at its plant in Pesquería, Mexico on 4 August 2026, the first time the model has been manufactured outside South Korea, with exports to the United States set to follow.
Kia started production of the EV3 compact electric crossover at its plant in Pesquería, Nuevo León, Mexico on 4 August 2026, the first time the model has been built outside South Korea. The automaker adapted an existing production line at the Pesquería facility rather than constructing a dedicated factory.
The local production ramp is expected to add 500 new jobs at the Pesquería site during 2026, with approximately 1,500 more projected by 2030. Vehicles built in Mexico are destined for export to the United States, where the EV3 is not yet on sale. Manufacturing within North America positions the EV3 to qualify for US clean vehicle incentive programmes that require domestic assembly.
The EV3 is Kia's first B-segment electric crossover, sitting below the EV6 in the brand's lineup. It launched in South Korea in 2025 and has since expanded across European markets as an accessible entry point into battery-electric mobility. The Pesquería plant currently assembles the Kia Sportage and other models; the EV3 becomes its first battery-electric production vehicle.
Kia confirmed that a portion of Mexican-built output will serve other regional markets in addition to the United States.