Kia has begun mass production of its first fully electric vehicle in Europe, marking a turning point for both the South Korean brand and Slovakia’s car industry.
On Wednesday the carmaker’s plant in Teplička nad Váhom, near Žilina, officially launched the Kia EV4, a hatchback positioned as a core model in its expanding electric line-up. The Slovak factory, Kia’s only European production site, will exclusively manufacture the hatchback version for the continent, while the sedan will continue to be imported from South Korea.
The EV4’s arrival coincides with the end of production of the Ceed, a model that played a pivotal role in Kia’s European expansion. First built in Slovakia in 2006, the Ceed helped establish the brand’s reputation in the region and became a best-seller in several markets. More than 3,000 units were sold in Slovakia alone last year, making it the fourth most popular car in the country.
Marc Hedrich, president of Kia Europe, said the EV4 marked “a huge milestone” for the brand. “It demonstrates the technical capabilities and flexibility of our only European facility,” he added.
The €108m investment required to prepare the Slovak plant included modernising production lines, installing new battery conveyors and adapting technologies across stamping, welding, paint and assembly shops. The Slovak government supported the project with €30m in tax relief.
Economy minister Denisa Saková described the move as strategically important. “The automotive industry employs about 280,000 people and contributes roughly 10 percent to our GDP. Supporting its transformation is in the national interest,” she said.
For Kia Slovakia, which produced more than 351,000 cars last year, the EV4 represents both continuity and change. The new model will be assembled on the same lines as the Sportage SUV and the XCeed crossover, signalling the integration of electrification into existing operations rather than a stand-alone effort.
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Production volumes remain uncertain, but company spokesman Tomáš Potoček said electrified models already account for a quarter of total output. With the EV4 now in production and the smaller EV2 due next year, that share is expected to rise sharply.
The EV4 is built on Kia’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and will be offered with two battery sizes, 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh, paired with a 150kW motor. Features include vehicle-to-load charging and, in higher trims, lightweight aluminium components and advanced driver assistance systems.
While critics question the timing of ending Ceed production given its continuing sales strength, Kia insists the decision reflects its long-term electrification strategy. Analysts expect affordable EVs such as the upcoming EV2 to become increasingly important in Europe, even as short-term demand growth slows.
“For us, expanding production capabilities means we can support our diverse European customer base more effectively,” said Hedrich.
