Kia research

Who owns Kia? Kia's history in the US, from the Sephia to the EV9

By CarWhere Research · Updated

Kia is part of Hyundai Motor Group: Hyundai Motor Company acquired Kia Motors in December 1998 and remains its largest shareholder. Kia's US sales began with the Sephia sedan, listed by EPA for 1993–1994, and the Sportage SUV followed for 1995. Kia has built cars in West Point, Georgia, since November 2009 and adopted a new logo in March 2021.

Kia history timeline

Milestones link to a full history page with years and production numbers, key variants, what changed and what to check before you buy one.

  1. 1992–1994

    Kia Motors America and the Sephia

    Kia's US distributor, then Kia Motors America, was incorporated in California in 1992, and the Sephia sedan went on sale at four dealers in Portland, Oregon. EPA's listings show the Sephia for the 1993 and 1994 model years, and the earliest Kia recall in NHTSA's dataset dates from July 1994.[1],[2],[3],[4]

    Kia in the US (1992–present) history →

  2. 1995

    Sportage arrives

    EPA adds the Sportage, in 2WD and 4WD form, to Kia's US lineup for the 1995 model year.[5]

    Kia in the US (1992–present) history →

  3. 1998

    Hyundai acquires Kia

    Hyundai Motor Company acquired Kia Motors in December 1998. Hyundai Motor Group now lists Kia alongside Hyundai Motor Company and Genesis as its automobile companies. Hyundai remains Kia's largest shareholder, with a 35.17% stake as of 2025.[1],[6],[7],[8]

  4. 2006–2009

    Kia Georgia plant

    Kia broke ground on its first US plant in West Point, Georgia, in October 2006, and the first vehicle rolled off the line in November 2009. It reached one million vehicles in July 2013.[9]

    Kia in the US (1992–present) history →

  5. 2019

    Telluride

    The Georgia-built Telluride three-row SUV entered production in 2019 and appears in EPA's listings from the 2020 model year with a 3.8L V6.[9],[10],[11],[12]

    Kia in the US (1992–present) history →

  6. 2021

    New logo; K5 replaces Optima

    Kia launched its new brand logo and identity in March 2021. In EPA listings the K5 replaces the Optima for the 2021 model year, and the Carnival replaces the Sedona for 2022.[9],[11],[13],[14]

    Kia in the US (1992–present) history →

  7. 2022–2024

    EV6 and EV9

    EPA lists the electric EV6 from the 2022 model year and the three-row EV9 from 2024. Kia Georgia began building the EV9 in June 2025, Georgia's first EV production.[9],[14],[15]

    Kia in the US (1992–present) history →

  8. 2026

    New Telluride and five million vehicles

    Kia launched the all-new Telluride, built for North America, in January 2026; EPA lists it for 2027 with a 2.5L turbo and a hybrid. Kia Georgia reached five million vehicles in February 2026.[9],[16],[17]

    Kia in the US (1992–present) history →

Kia US firsts

Milestones from Kia Georgia, Hyundai, NHTSA and EPA records[1],[2],[5],[6],[9],[11],[14],[15]
YearModel or eventWhat it was
1993–1994SephiaFirst Kia-branded car sold in the US (EPA lists 1993–1994)
1995SportageFirst Kia SUV in EPA's US listings
1998Hyundai acquisitionHyundai acquires Kia Motors in December
2009Kia GeorgiaFirst Kia plant in North America; production from November
2020TellurideGeorgia-built three-row SUV, first EPA model year
2022EV6First Kia EV6 model year in EPA listings
2024EV9First three-row Kia EV; built in Georgia from June 2025

Kia US name changes

First and last model years in EPA's US listings[11],[13],[14],[15],[18]
Old nameLast model yearNew nameFirst model year
Optima2020K52021
Sedona2021Carnival2022
Forte2024K42025

Full detail and buying advice: Kia in the US (1992–present) history.

Every Kia model history

Kia in America

How to check a Kia's factory build

Standardized 17-character VINs began with model year 1981[19]. For a 1981-or-later Kia, CarWhere can check a VIN for licensed factory build data and, when it exists, list the equipment the vehicle was built with in plain English: see the Kia build sheet by VIN. Coverage varies by VIN and model year. Earlier vehicles are identified by their original serial number, vehicle data plate and engine stampings instead.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Kia?

Hyundai Motor Company. Hyundai acquired Kia Motors in December 1998 and remains Kia's largest shareholder, with about 35% as of 2025. Kia and Hyundai are separate brands within Hyundai Motor Group.

Who makes Kia cars?

Kia Corporation of South Korea, part of Hyundai Motor Group. Kia America sells the cars in the US, and Kia Georgia in West Point builds the Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, EV6 and EV9.

Is Kia the same as Hyundai?

No, but they are related. Hyundai owns the largest stake in Kia, and the brands share engines and plants: Hyundai's Alabama plant supplies engines to Kia Georgia, and Hyundai's Georgia Metaplant began building the Kia Sportage Hybrid in June 2026.

When did Kia start selling cars in the US?

Kia Motors America was incorporated in 1992, and the Sephia went on sale at four Portland, Oregon, dealers. EPA lists the Sephia for the 1993 and 1994 model years and adds the Sportage for 1995.

Did Kia change its name?

Its US company did. Formerly Kia Motors America, it now operates as Kia America, Inc., the name NHTSA's recall records use. Kia also launched a new logo and brand identity in March 2021.

Where are Kias made in the US?

At Kia Georgia in West Point, which opened in November 2009 and builds the Telluride, Sorento, Sportage, EV6 and EV9. The Sportage Hybrid is also built at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America near Savannah.

More Kia research

Sources

Production figures, dates and ratings come from Kia AG and Kia of America press and heritage materials, official race results and reputable automotive press wherever available. References marked secondary are encyclopedic or enthusiast sources used only where a primary figure was not available. Market medians are CarWhere's own analysis of live US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers.

  1. Kia (company history and Kia America section) — Wikipedia (secondary reference)
  2. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 1993 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  3. NHTSA recall 94V134: speedometer sensor (Kia, report received July 25, 1994) — NHTSA
  4. DOT recalls dataset (6axg-epim): Kia manufacturer records — U.S. DOT / NHTSA (data.transportation.gov)
  5. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 1995 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  6. Hyundai Motor Company history, 1967–2000 — Hyundai Motor Company (hyundai.com Worldwide)
  7. Hyundai Motor America – A Brand History (last updated February 2011) — Hyundai Motor America, HyundaiNews.com (archived copy) (archived copy of https://www.hyundainews.com/assets/documents/original/19869-HyundaiMotorAmerica%E2%80%93ABrandHistory.txt)
  8. Hyundai Motor Group affiliates — Hyundai Motor Company (hyundai.com Worldwide)
  9. Kia Georgia: plant milestones, West Point, Georgia — Kia Georgia (kiageorgia.com)
  10. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 2019 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  11. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 2020 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  12. EPA fuel economy: 2020 Kia Telluride FWD powertrains — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  13. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 2021 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  14. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 2022 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  15. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 2024 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  16. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 2027 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  17. EPA fuel economy: 2027 Kia Telluride FWD powertrains — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  18. EPA fuel economy: Kia models listed for the 2025 model year — U.S. DOE / EPA (fueleconomy.gov)
  19. 49 CFR Part 565 — Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) requirements — eCFR (U.S. Government)

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia America or Hyundai Motor Group. Kia and the model names are trademarks of their owners.