According to The Korean Car Blog, an internal Kia document outlining future plant allocation plans has been obtained. The document, reportedly originating from a Kia committee focused on job security, includes production plans for the brand’s Korean factories, with two model lines standing out from an electromobility perspective.
The Korean Car Blog reports that a mid-sized battery-electric SUV, the EV7, is set to enter production at Kia’s Gwangju plant starting in 2028. Additionally, by 2029, Kia reportedly plans to introduce a hydrogen-powered version of its Carnival van, to be manufactured at the Gwangmyeong plant. If confirmed, the H2-Carnival would mark Kia’s first series-production model with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain.
No further details have been provided about these two models. The presumed EV7 is described only as a mid-sized SUV, with production scheduled to begin in Gwangju in 2028. However, this aligns with reports that sister company Hyundai is planning an Ioniq 7.
What about the Kia Carnival? Some may still remember it. The large MPV from the South Korean automaker (also known as the Kia Sedona in some markets) was available in the DACH region during the 2000s before disappearing from the market in 2010/2011. Since then, it has not returned to Europe but remains available in newer generations in South Korea, North America, and Russia.
The Korean Car Blog reports that the Carnival is set to debut in a new generation in 2028, featuring a hybrid powertrain and, before 2029, a hydrogen fuel cell variant as well. The latter is highly likely to adopt the fuel cell technology from the Hyundai Nexo. The next-generation Carnival is expected to be produced in Gwangmyeong.
