Kia has begun series production of the all-new EV4 hatchback at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Žilina, Slovakia, marking the first time the brand has built a fully electric vehicle in Europe. The milestone follows a €108-million investment to modernise the plant’s production lines and represents a significant step in Kia’s regional electrification strategy.
The five-door EV4 has been developed specifically for European customers and is assembled exclusively at Kia AutoLand Slovakia. Built on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the model blends performance with efficiency, offering two battery options—a 58.3kWh unit and a larger 81.4kWh pack—delivering up to 391 miles of range on a single charge*. Advanced features include Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capabilities, lightweight aluminium components, and a choice of five exterior finishes.
Marc Hedrich, President and CEO of Kia Europe, described the start of production as a defining moment:
“The launch of the EV4 in Slovakia showcases the technical expertise and flexibility of our European operations. From 20 August, our facility will produce fully electric models alongside hybrids and internal combustion vehicles, ensuring we can meet the diverse needs of our European customers.”
The EV4, first unveiled globally in February 2025, embodies Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy with sharp, confident styling tailored for drivers seeking innovation, sustainability, and electric mobility.
Kia’s Žilina plant, which has produced more than five million vehicles since opening in 2004, remains central to the company’s European strategy. The facility currently manufactures the XCeed and Sportage—including hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions that made up 25% of output in 2024—and now adds the EV4 to its portfolio. Employing around 3,700 people and supported by over 600 advanced robots, the site has an annual production capacity of 350,000 vehicles and 540,000 engines, with exports to 83 countries.
Sustainability is firmly embedded in the plant’s operations. Since 2014, Kia Slovakia has cut electricity consumption per vehicle by 11%, reduced water usage by 28%, and lowered CO2 emissions by 13%. The facility is powered entirely by renewable energy and will expand its on-site solar capacity by the end of the year.
While the EV4 hatchback will be built in Slovakia, its saloon-styled counterpart—the EV4 Fastback—will be manufactured in Korea at Kia’s Autoland Gwangmyeong EVO plant, underscoring the global significance of Kia’s expanding EV line-up.
