Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) of Seoul, South Korea, the fastest growing automobile manufacturer in the world, was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Kia means to “arise or come out of Asia” and Kia has truly risen as a global player, boasting an ever-expanding product line-up and a brand new, state-of-the-art, automobile assembly plant in West Point, Georgia.
Below is a look at a few of the many significant events for Kia through the years:
- KMC, which was originally called Kyungsung Precision Industry,” was established in 1944.
- In 1951, Kia produced Korea’s first bicycle.
- In 1961, Kia produced Korea’s first motorcycle.
- The K-360, Korea’s first domestically produced truck, was produced by Kia in 1962.
- The Brisa, Korea’s first domestically produced passenger car, was first produced in 1974.
- In 1986, the Kia Pride was first produced.
- In 1998, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group was formed.
- In 2002, the Kia Sorento was first produced.
- On November 16, 2009, mass production of the next generation Kia Sorento began at Kia’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Ga.
- In 2011, a new group corporate identity was launched, “Hyundai Motor Group.”
Kia has achieved some pretty incredible growth during the past few years with more than 745 dealers in the United States and record-shattering sales virtually every month. With every year that passes, more and more people are discovering the value of owning a Kia.
The announcement and opening of Kia’s first North American automobile manufacturing facility in West Point, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG), was another positive chapter in the history of this storied company. Below are some of the milestones we’ve experienced here at KMMG:
KMMG Milestones:
March 13, 2006 — Kia President E.S. Chung and Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue sign the contracts for Kia to build its first North American automobile manufacturing facility on over 2,200 acres in West Point.
June 2006 — The State of Georgia begins site preparation at the 650-acre Kia building pad.
October 20, 2006 — A groundbreaking ceremony is held for KMMG.
November 12, 2007 — KMMG announces its first production vehicle will be the next generation Kia Sorento.
December 10, 2007 — The first beam is erected on the KMMG building pad.
January 8, 2008 — KMMG President/CEO B.M. Ahn and Team Members celebrate the opening of Kia’s online application process with Georgia Quick Start.
February 7, 2008 — KMMG’s first application process closes with an automotive industry benchmark-setting 43,013 applications received.
March 25, 2008 — KMMG and state officials celebrate the grand opening of the $20 million Kia Georgia Training Center in conjunction with Georgia Quick Start, the state’s workforce training program.
August 4, 2008 — The first hourly Team Members begin work at KMMG.
October 28, 2008 — KMMG President/CEO B.M. Ahn and Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue attend a celebration for the arrival of the stamping press at KMMG.
December 10, 2008 — Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announces the opening of Exit 6 along Interstate 85, Kia Parkway and Kia Boulevard to the public.
March 27, 2009 — Team members begin moving to the plant site in West Point.
April 17, 2009 — All KMMG team members move to the plant site.
November 16, 2009 — KMMG starts mass producing the 2011 Kia Sorento.
February 26, 2010 — KMMG celebrates grand opening with ceremony attended by Hyundai Motor Group Chairman M.K. Chung and Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue.
April 21, 2010 — KMMG produces 50,000th vehicle.
May 7, 2010 — Second job application wave concludes with 44,507 applicants.
September 2, 2010 — KMMG produces 100,000th Kia Sorento.
October 1, 2010 – KMMG launches a second shift of production.
October 15, 2010 – KMMG launches mass production of the Hyundai Santa Fe.
April 13, 2011 – Arrival of equipment for second stamping press, first major equipment of plant expansion.
April 21, 2011 – Announcement that KMMG will be producing the 2011 Kia Optima later in 2011.
May 4, 2011 – KMMG Donates $1.5 million to the American Red Cross for tornado disaster relief in Georgia.
May 27, 2011 – KMMG receives ISO/TS 16949:2009 certification.
July 7, 2011 – KMMG produces 300,000th vehicle
September 2, 2011 – KMMG starts mass production of the 2012 Kia Optima.
