Kia Motors has unveiled its first U.S-built vehicle. The all-new
Sorento SUV came off the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) plant. The 2,200 acre facility has a capacity of 300,000 units per year and employs 2,500 people. These figures represent yet another milestone in Kia Motors America's commitment to the country. Kia's U.S investment currently comes to about $1.3 billion since 2002.
In total the Korean company now has a global production capacity of 2.56 million units from locations in North America, Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.
"The start of production at our first manufacturing facility in the United States further demonstrates our commitment to growth in North America and we are proud to be adding 2,500 jobs to the local economy," said B.M. Ahn, President and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG.
The U.S spec
Kia Sorento is available with either a 172bhp 2.4 litre 4 cylinder or a 273bhp 3.5 litre V6 petrol engines mated to 6 speed manual or automatic transmissions. The unibody SUV will have a choice of FWD and 4WD drivetrains. Standard equipment will include 7 seats, 17" alloy wheels, ABS, EBD, hill start assist w/ downhill brake control, ESC w/ TCS, 6 airbags, active front headrests, Bluetooth, USB/AUX sockets and SIRIUS satellite radio.
On the options list will be 18" alloy wheels, metallic paint, push-button start/stop ignition, rear parking sensor, satellite navigation system w/ voice control, rear parking camera and a panoramic glass sunroof. Sales start January 2010.
Press Release: Kia Motors' first U.S-built vehicle, a white all-new Sorento, has rolled off the production line at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), officially opening the company's first U.S production plant.
KMMG is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles a year at full capacity and employ 2,500 people, with on-site and nearby suppliers creating 7,500 additional jobs in the region.
"The start of production at our first manufacturing facility in the United States further demonstrates our commitment to growth in North America and we are proud to be adding 2,500 jobs to the local economy," said B.M. Ahn, President and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG.
Representing an investment of US$1 billion by Kia Motors, KMMG will establish new benchmarks for vehicle quality and productivity by utilizing some of the world's most advanced manufacturing techniques.
KMMG's general assembly area is outfitted with more than a half mile of height-adjustable conveyors to achieve the best installation position for each team member and reduce physical fatigue. The plant is also remarkable in being fitted with wooden flooring in the general assembly area to provide a more comfortable and forgiving work environment for team members.
Built on 2,200 acres, the complex includes a body stamping facility, a transmission shop where the Sorento's six-speed automatic transmission is produced and a two mile test track. The plant's 186-foot-long stamping press delivers 5,400 tons of pressure to stamp steel into 17 different types of vehicle panels for the Sorento, operating at a speed of seven to 15 strokes per minute.
The massive stamping equipment ranges from almost 20 feet below the floor to 39.4 feet above ground. KMMG continues Kia Motors' aggressive investment in the US market. Since 2002, more than $1.3 billion has been invested in various facilities throughout the country, including a dedicated corporate campus and design center in Irvine, California, a state-of-the-art research and development centre in Ann Arbor, Michigan and a custom-built vehicle proving ground in Mojave, California.
Kia now has production facilities in Korea - at Hwasung, Sohari and Kwangju as well as a joint-project facility close to Hwasung - in Slovakia and in China plus CKD operations in a number of Asian and African countries plus Russia. Total global production capacity currently stands at 2.56 million vehicles per year with the opening of Georgia. That figures is comprised of 1.53 million in Korea, 430,000 in China, 300,000 in Slovakia and now 300,000 in the U.S.
