Kia Motors, the South Korean automaker, said that it intends to invest more than $200 million at its assembly plant in Georgia where it will start building the electric EV9 SUV, starting next year.

The decision comes as foreign automakers invest millions in North American production to secure the federal EV tax credits. The vehicles must be assembled on the continent to qualify for up to $7,500 provided for in the Inflation Reduction Act President Biden signed last August.

Hyundai Motor Group, which owns Kia, will partner with SK On-the battery manufacturer-to build a new battery-manufacturing plant in the state. SK Innovation has opened a $2.6 billion battery plant in Georgia to produce batteries for Ford.

The company said it will add approximately 200 jobs to build technology-packed, three-row SUVs as well as four other models. Kia's EV9 will be its first electric vehicle built in the U.S.

The decision chimes with the company's latest effort to boost electric vehicle sales and reach $122 billion in gross revenue by 2030. That is on a spur of a $24 billion investment into the automaker's electrification plan, which should see Kia sell one million EVs by 2026. By 2024, the automaker will also commission its first dedicated EV factory in Gwangmyeong. Kia will launch 15 new EV models by 2027.

When Kia first showed off its EV9 SUV last March, it was evident that it could be perfect for a North American market. It's economical and spacious, has range to burn, can serve as a mobile power outlet, and comes with an array of sensors (cameras, lidar, and radar) to enable an advanced driver assistance system.

At the same time, the flagship vehicle represents something of a shift for the automaker, from being perceived as a cheap rental at the airport to now being touted as a high-tech company. The infotainment and software suite for the EV9 allows over-the-air updates for nearly every function on the car, which is the first of its kind for Kia.