The plant will employ approximately 2,500 local workers, while 5-6 suppliers are expected to set up operations in Troup County and the surrounding areas, thereby resulting in the provision of an additional 2,000 jobs.

“Kia Motors has entered an aggressive growth phase in the U.S and the decision by KMC to build a manufacturing facility in West Point, Troup County, Georgia is the latest example of the company’s commitment to the marketplace,” said Euisun Chung, President and CEO, Kia Motors Corporation.  “Kia has made tremendous investments in design and engineering to better meet the needs and desires of American consumers, and this new plant will produce high quality, well-styled vehicles with the safety features and affordability that customers expect from Kia.”

Construction is currently underway on an $87 million U.S corporate campus in Irvine, California that is expected to open in December 2006, and will include a 6,039 square-metre (65,000 square-foot) design centre.  In total, Kia Motors has invested more than $300 million in the United States over the last four years, including a state-of-the-art research and development centre in Ann Arbor, Mich.; a custom-built vehicle proving grounds in Mojave, California; and the largest automotive design studio in California, which is shared with Hyundai Motor America.

Since coming to market in the United States, Kia has expanded to a full product line of vehicles and enjoyed 12 years of consecutive sales records, including 275,871 vehicles in 2005.  Most recently, Kia Motors America (KMA) posted record sales for the month of February 2006, and is 3.2-percent ahead of its record setting 2005 sales pace.

Kia expects its North American sales (US and Canada) to climb by 15% to 350,000 units in 2006, and further grow to 800,000 units by 2010.

There is no announcement, as yet, which indicates what Kia product/s will be manufactured at the new plant. Presumably, it will be a production version of a recent concept car (two recent concepts are shown on this page). Or, perhaps, it will be the production version of a concept car which will appear this year, or even next year!

2006 Kia Soul Concept Car

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13th March, 2006
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New Ford Courier Debuts in Thailand
10th March, 2006
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Mitsubishi Colt Gets New Engine and More
8th March, 2006
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8th March, 2006
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Pirtek Backs Ford In Rally Championship
8th March, 2006
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Audi Names Driver Teams for Le Mans
8th March, 2006
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Precious Metal - The Peugeot 407 Coupe
7th March, 2006
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Ford Announces New Racing Manager
7th March, 2006
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GM to Sell 17.4% Equity Stake in Suzuki
7th March, 2006
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Jayco's Sterling Caravan Design
7th March, 2006
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Ford Duo Claim Points Finish In Rally Mexico
6th March, 2006
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6th March, 2006
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Exceptional Sales for Suzuki
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6th March, 2006
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Caterham Seven Provides Fun
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Ford Unveils Tough Truck Concept in Brisbane
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New Volkswagen Passat At Brisbane Motor Show
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