GEORGIA LAWMAKERS COMMEND KIA FOR MANUFACTURING AND ITS IMPACT TO THE STATE

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Feb 01, 2023, 06:00 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Led by Governor Brian P. Kemp, Georgia lawmakers recognized January 31 as "Kia Day," commending Kia's vehicle manufacturing and its impact to the state since making one of the biggest single foreign investments in Georgia's history in 2006 by establishing a state-of-the-art vehicle assembly facility in West Point.

Left to Right - Marty Kemp, First Lady of Georgia; Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia North America and Kia America; Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp; Stuart Countess, president and CEO of Kia Georgia; Pat Wilson, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Georgia lawmakers commend Kia for manufacturing and its impact to the state.

Kia Georgia was Kia Corporation's first manufacturing plant in North America and assembles nearly 40-percent of all Kia vehicles sold in the U.S. To date, Kia has invested more than $1.9 billion in the state and Kia Georgia is responsible for more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs in the region.

"Kia chose Georgia because they saw something in us – our great workforce, quality of life, and pro-business approach. And we saw something in Kia – a shared vision for transformational growth and a commitment to the hardworking people of our state," said Governor Brian P. Kemp.

Kia is a dynamic part of the world's third-largest automaker and continues to invest in Georgia. In October, it was revealed that assembly of Kia electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to begin in the first half of 2025 at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), which officially broke ground near Savannah, Georgia. HMGMA will create more than 8,100 jobs over the next few years.

"Kia was the first to open an auto manufacturing plant in Georgia because we saw the talented workforce, sense of community, respected pro-growth business climate and commitment to innovation that is prevalent here," said Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia North America and Kia America. "Kia is focused on becoming a leader in sustainable mobility by popularizing EVs and we look forward to working with and bringing new opportunities to Georgia, the state we proudly call home."

Kia Georgia is home to the K5 midsize sedan and various models of the Telluride, Sorento and Sportage SUVs* with more than 90-percent of the vehicles assembled destined for dealerships across America. Kia Georgia's total production is anticipated to surpass 4 million vehicles in April of 2023. The West Point facility has provided over $20 million in support of Georgia communities since 2009, including over $6 million to support educational programs such as the THINC College & Career Academy in LaGrange and SAE's "A World in Motion."

"Georgia's array of resources to promote economic growth and workforce development enabled Kia to focus on the key fundamentals of building a state-of-the-art facility and the necessary skill sets for hundreds of team members new to automotive manufacturing," said Stuart Countess, president and CEO of Kia Georgia. "As Kia looks ahead with excitement, we are confident in our ability to adapt and lead the evolving automotive industry. Our experience in the state of Georgia is a huge part of building that confidence."

Kia America – about us

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia America continues to top automotive quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands. Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and offers a range of gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electrified vehicles sold through a network of over 750 dealers in the U.S., including several cars and SUVs proudly assembled in America*.

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* The K5, Sportage, Sorento, and Telluride (excludes HEV and PHEV models) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

Kia Georgia – about us

Kia Georgia, Inc. is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. With an annual capacity of 340,000 units, Kia Georgia is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, GA, and began mass vehicle assembly on Nov. 16, 2009. Kia Georgia is home to the Telluride SUV, Sorento SUV, Sportage SUV (excluding HEV and PHEV models) and the K5 mid-size sedan.

SOURCE Kia America