Kia To Open First U.S. Manufacturing Plant In 2009
In an announcement made on March 2006, Kia Motors Corporation, the maker of Kia cars, announced official plans to build a $1.2 billion assembly and manufacturing plant in the United States. The location has been confirmed as West Point, Georgia and will serve as Kia’s first manufacturing plant in America. The first Kia cars to roll off of the assembly line are said to begin production in 2009.
When operated at it’s maximum capacity, the new Kia cars facility is expected to create approximately 300,000 brand new automobiles every year. In addition, this new construction will provide an additional 2,500 jobs and will be situated on 2,200 acres.
According to president and CEO of Kia Motors America J.H. Lee, "The decision by Kia Motors Corporation to build a manufacturing plant in the United States demonstrates their confidence in our ability to further grow sales in the North American market.” He added, "The plant is an important development to support our sales goals over the next decade."
A dedicated Kia cars corporate campus is currently under construction in Irvine, California. With an anticipated opening date of December 2006, this new facility will feature a 65,000 square-foot design center. Over the past four years, Kia Motors has invested over $300 million in America. Among the results are a state-of-the-art research and development center located in Michigan, along with a custom-built vehicle facility in California.
Since debuting in the American market, Kia cars has expanded to a complete product line of vehicles and have watched their company thrive during the 12 years of consecutive sales records, which continue to this day.
Kia Motors Corporation, the maker of Kia cars, is headquartered in South Korea. However, through the development of Kia Motors America, Kia is able to offer a complete line of automobiles, including Kia cars, through well over 600 United States car dealerships. Said to be one of the fastest growing automakers in the world, Kia was founded in 1944 making it Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Through the company’s latest release featuring hybrid technology, Kia hopes to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. With assembly and manufacturing operations in seven countries, Kia produces over 1.1 million vehicles each year, which are then sold through a network of dealers and distributors throughout 160 countries. With more than 32,000 employees and annual revenues topping $15 billion, Kia has found sponsorship to be an important part of it’s success. As a major sponsor to both the Australian Tennis Open and FIFA, the Kia Motors Corporation is planning even more changes in the years to come.
By Aurel Radulescu
Visit the Blog about kia sacramentoCool Concepts - Kia KOUP
My, what big letters your model name uses!
Like Saturn which names its models in caps, Kia is starting to show off a concept car that they hope will garner the Korean automaker plenty of attention. The Kia KOUP is a sexy, stylish concept car now making the rounds of the auto shows. If it is receives a green light for production, this car could go a long way toward reforming Kia's budget image.
Kia KOUP - What's With The Name?
The variation of coupe in the KOUP's name is likely to stir some controversy. Personally, I don't like it, but I do think that the car is attractive. This car reminds me of Kia's sister company's coupe, the Hyundai Tiburon, but the Kia model certainly has the better looking lines. Kia would do well to come up with another name should the coupe go into production.
The Kia concept is powered by a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower paired with a GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) twin scroll turbocharger designed to deliver superior power and fuel efficiency. By means of injecting fuel directly into the cylinder under high pressure using the Kia GDI system, the intake charge is cooled and combustion behavior is improved. Improved combustion assures excellent fuel economy and low emissions. Lower grille openings enable additional air intake for extra power. Kia claims that the KOUP delivers torque of 289 lb-ft at a low 2,000 rpm sustained to 4,000 rpm.
These numbers put the KOUP squarely in Mitsubishi Eclipse territory, one of the car's likely competitors. The Eclipse has performed well for Mitsubishi and the KOUP could do the same for Kia. Besides, when you think of Kia the term "low-budget" comes to mind. The new coupe can help to burnish Kia's image like no car before it.
Where To See It?
Having made its debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, expect that Kia will show the car at major venues over the coming months. If public reception for the car is good, then expect that production will begin as soon as possible. This could mean that the oddly named KOUP will hit US streets as early as 2010, a car delivering good looks, performance, and fuel economy for a value price.
By Matthew Keegan
