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 san jose californiaKia Kue Ramps Up NAIAS
During the 2007 NAIAS, Kia Motors America (KMA) deemed that it would be the best time for them to unveil one of their newest concept vehicles. Kia proudly calls their new concept the Kia Kue and it has been created to be a crossover concept car. Len Hunt, the chief and executive vice president of KMA says, “We’ve instilled confidence and integrity in our consumer base with vehicles that provide value, quality, and safety. Kue embodies the next phase of our brand evolution, which will instill pride and passion in our customers through great design.”
The company also does continue to say that the Kia Kue is going to be one unique concept crossover. Drivers of the vehicle would be able to experience a different kind of feel while also basking in the awesome appeal of being able to hail much cargo. It uses a moncooque platform plus it also has a wheel base that measures more than 114 inches. With that, one can truly say that the Kia Kue has got not only appeal but also functionality and practicality. Space is surely something that the vehicle can afford to give in excess. Aside from this, the Kia Kue would be rolling on tires that measure some twenty two inches.
If this vehicle is soon going to be a production vehicle, Kia Motors has been hinting that perhaps soon enough in the near future, this crossover concept would be created and produced as a production vehicle. The design of the Kia Kue has also been deemed to be yet another milestone for the company and could be the base for future vehicles from the company. On this, Tom Kearns, the chief designer of the auto brand, says, “Good design shouldn’t look like you are trying too hard. The future Kia direction will incorporate the ‘less is more’ philosophy but still include a heavy dose of boldness to be distinct.”
Taking a quick tour in the interior of the Kia Kue, one would find the cabin to be clean yet having a tint of sportiness. It can quite graciously take in four passengers and seat then on custom-built bucket seats. The driver would also be having a grand time at its interface that has the best kind of technology you can find in the market. Passengers can also program the entire system of the Kia Kue so as to suit their whims and wants.
By Correy Putton
