The Kia Sorento is a stylish, mid-sized crossover SUV which made its debut in 2002.
It features a third-row seat, a cool gauge cluster, impressive technology and is available with a hybrid powertrain
If your looking at purchasing a Sorento, you might be wondering where it came from.
In this article we’ll cover exactly where Kia Sorentos are made, read on to find out…
Table of Contents
Where Are Kia Sorentos Being Made?
Kia Sorentos are made in three different locations: West Point, Georgia USA at the West Point Assembly Plant, in South Korea at the Hwaseong Plant, and also at the Chu Lai Plant, Vietnam. Each plant produces Sorentos for a particular region and then ships them to their respective markets.
Production of the Kia Sorento has not always been limited to the three manufacturing plants it is today.
Over the years, the Sorento has been produced in many countries, including Malaysia, Russia, Algeria, Egypt, and Pakistan.
Are Kia Sorentos for the U.S. Market Produced in the U.S.?
Kia Sorentos produced for the American market are produced in the U.S. at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). The plant is located in West Point, Georgia and has been in operation since 2006.
The first Kia Sorentos that were produced by the American plant were the Second-Generation models, in 2009.
West Point facility facts:
- The plant covers 2,200 acres
- The plant produces 3 models: Telluride CUV, Sorento CUV, and the Optima midsize sedan.
- 340,000 vehicles a year are produced here
- Supplies 940 dealerships across the US and Canada
- Also Ship to Mexico and Caribbean and Pacific nations
Related: 21 Best & Worst Kia Sorento Years (Pictures & Stats)
Are they Being Assembled in the U.S.?
Kia Sorentos produced for the U.S. market are being assembled in the U.S. Assembly takes place at KMMG, at West Point, Georgia.
Kia Sorento models available in the U.S. market are:
- Sorento LX
- Sorento S
- Sorento EX
- Sorento SX
- Sorento SX Prestige
- Sorento Hybrid
How Can You Check Where a Specific Kia Sorento Was Produced?
The simplest way to tell where a Kia Sorento was produced is to look at the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Another useful method includes checking the title of the car (the VIN is also listed there if you are unable to locate the number on your vehicle).
How to Check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Locate the VIN on your vehicle – it is usually located in one of three places, including:
- the jamb of the driver’s door
- a plaque located near the windshield on the driver’s side window
- the firewall of your Kia model’s engine bay
Once you have your VIN:
- Either input the VIN into an online VIN-Lookup tool or use the manual coding system used for VINs (an online tool will give you the fastest answer).
- To manually check, note the first and the eleventh digits of the VIN as they show the country or origin and manufacturing plant.
Are Japanese or European Built Kia Sorentos Better?
Kia Sorentos have been assembled in many countries over the years, but the Sorento is not manufactured in either location.
Kia Sorentos sold in Japan and Europe are produced at the South Korean Kia facility (Hwaseong Plant).
Each model will exhibit slight variations depending on where its being shipped to, to meet local regulations – however they are all built to the same quality.
Where is the Kia Sorento Designed?
The Kia Sorento is made in three different assembly plants: The Hwaseong Plant (South Korea), KMMG (USA), and THACO (Vietnam). The popular SUV is also sold in many countries around the world.
As a result, the design of the Kia Sorento was a combined effort between a few of the company’s largest design centers.
The Kia design studios in Europe, USA, and South Korea each participated in the creation of the Kia Sorento.
Where Are Kia Sorentos Made for the Australia Market?
The Kia Sorento that is built for the Australian market is made in the South Korean Hwaseong Plant.
Kia Sorento models available in the Australian market are:
- The Sorento S
- The Sorento Sport
- The Sorento Sport+
- The Sorento GT-Line
Where Are Kia Sorentos Made for the Canada Market?
The Kia Sorentos that are made for the Canadian market are produced in the U.S. Kia plant, known as Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG).
The U.S. Kia plant, located in West Point, Georgia, has produced more than 3 million Kia automobiles since opening its doors in 2006.
KMMG produces the Kia Sorento, the Kia Telluride, and the Kia Optima.
Kia Sorento models available in the Canadian market are:
- The Sorento LX+
- The Sorento LX Premium
- The Sorento X-Line
Where Are Kia Sorentos Made for the UK Market?
Kia Sorentos made for the UK market are built in South Korea, at the Hwaseong Plant.
The manufacturing plant produces the Kia Sorento, along with the Kia Optima, the Kia Cadenza, the Kia Forte, and the Kia Mohave.
Kia Sorento models available in the UK market are:
- The Sorento
- The Sorento PHEV (plug-in hybrid)
You may also be interested in our article: How Long Do Kia Sorento Hybrids Last?
Is Kia Planning to Move Its Production?
Kia operates on a very large global scale and maintains manufacturing plants in many countries.
Changes in production for specific products and in particular regions do occur, but the primary production locations are not likely to change.
Is Kia Hiring or Firing in the U.S.?
Kia in the U.S. is always hiring and on the lookout for upcoming talent.
Positions available at the U.S. KMMG assembly plant come in many forms. Some are salaried while others hourly.
| Job Role | Pay |
| Production Team Member | Start: $16.03/hr. Top-Out: $24.78/hr |
| Maintenance/Die Maintenance Team Member | Start: $22.55/hr. Top-Out: $28.88/hr |
Kia offers a full range of benefits to its staff and there is plenty of room for professional growth within the company.
Apart from the assembly plant, there are many official Kia distributors and dealerships across the country which also provide employment opportunities of varying types.
For more information about jobs at Kia, you may visit their careers page or check sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed.com, and Glassdoor.
Is Kia an American Company?
Kia is not an American company, Kia is a South Korean company – Hyundai is the parent company of Kia Motors which is also a South Korean company. There are, however, production plants in several countries around the world, including the U.S.
Hyundai owns just over 30% of Kia. Interestingly, Kia also owns portions of several Hyundai subsidiaries as well.
Related: 9 Most Common Kia Sorento Hybrid Problems (Explained)
Resources
https://www.kmmgusa.com/about-kmmg/the-plant/
https://www.kmmgusa.com/employment/
