Randy Jackson, KMMG’s Vice President of Human Resources and Administration, said that the reports that came back from Korea are extremely positive and KMMG is encouraged that so many team members took advantage of this unique opportunity to learn from experts within Kia’s worldwide organization. To date, more than 1,400 KMMG team members have trained in Korea.

“Quality is always a top priority for KMMG and a matter of pride with all of our team members,” said Jackson. “This training has provided the team members with a chance for professional development as well as a, once-in-a-lifetime, cultural experience. Our team members will continue to strive to make outstanding progress in all aspects of the Kia Way.”

The Kia Way is a set of operating principles that define the KMMG workplace culture and establish a “one system/one team” approach. The Kia Way puts a great emphasis on trust, mutual respect and open two-way communication among all team members. This assures KMMG of continuous improvement in its quest to be the best and most innovative manufacturing plant in the world.

Kia Motors’ Namyang R&D Center is a cutting-edge facility that encompasses the complete vehicle design process, from pre-design studies and prototyping to full-scale aerodynamic testing and comprehensive crash testing.

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. Beginning in 2012, the plant has the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

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“Since arriving in Georgia we have enjoyed a very positive and productive relationship with the state, and we are proud to showcase our facilities to Governor Deal and thank him for his support and the leadership he provides for the state of Georgia,” said Ahn. “Georgia has been an invaluable partner for KMMG, from the Port of Savannah where millions of dollars in equipment for our facility first arrived to the state’s Georgia Quick Start program which trained our more than 3,000 Team Members, and we thank Governor Deal and the people of Georgia for welcoming Kia with open arms.”

During the visit, Ahn led Deal on a tour of Kia’s $1.1 billion Georgia facility and explained the plant’s commitment to delivering world-class vehicle quality. The tour included a look at KMMG’s recently completed $100 million expansion that will increase the plant’s capacity to 360,000 vehicles beginning this year. More than 1,000 new Team Members were hired in 2011 to support the increased volume, and together with local suppliers, KMMG is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 jobs.

“Kia’s manufacturing plant in West Point is a tremendous success story and a glowing example of Georgia’s commitment to supporting industry for growth,” said Deal. “Kia has continued to invest in Georgia and I have seen first-hand the positive impact KMMG has delivered to this region. In return, Georgia partners with global companies such as Kia to provide the resources that allow them to prosper and grow.”

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. Beginning in 2012, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

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“Our more than 3,000 team members continue to demonstrate outstanding dedication to building world-class, high-quality vehicles at our West Point manufacturing facility,” said Mr. Byung Mo Ahn, Group President and CEO for Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG. “The new jobs and increased volume at KMMG is continued evidence of our commitment to the U.S. and local economies. Kia experienced record-breaking growth again in 2011, led by the best-selling Sorento and the critically-acclaimed Optima, both of which are being built at KMMG.”

The new $100 million investment by Kia Motors is in addition to the $1 billion already invested into KMMG. The expansion includes:

• A second 5,400-ton transfer press in the stamping shop
• Additional robots in the welding shop related to the production of the Optima
• Expansion of the paint shop to accommodate additional capacity
• Expansion of the production line in the general assembly shop (within the existing facilities) and installation of new equipment
• Expansion of the railroad spur to efficiently handle additional volume
• More than 500 additional parking spaces added to the team member parking area
• Over 1,000 new team members were hired at KMMG during 2011 to bring the total number of hires at the plant to more than 3,000

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. Beginning in 2012, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

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West Point, Ga. Jan. 3, 2012 – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is sending 160 team members to Korea in January to receive intensive “skill-up” training, and a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience as guests of Kia Motors Corporation. 

The training will take place at Kia Motors’ state-of-the-art research and development center in Namyang, Korea. The Namyang R&D Center is a cutting-edge facility that encompasses the complete vehicle design process, from pre-design studies and prototyping to full-scale aerodynamic testing and comprehensive crash testing.

More than 1,200 KMMG team members have had the opportunity to train in Korea. The training helps team members enhance their skills in order to build excellent quality into every vehicle produced at KMMG.

“Quality is a top priority for KMMG; it is a matter of pride with all of our team members,” said Randy Jackson, KMMG’s vice president of human resources and administration. “Our team members strive to make outstanding progress in all aspects of training and learning the Kia Way philosophy.”

The Kia Way is a philosophy, a set of operating principles that define the KMMG workplace culture and establish a “one system/one team” approach. The Kia Way is built on trust, mutual respect and open communication among all Team Members to ensure continuous improvement in our quest to be the best and most innovative manufacturing plant in the United States.

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. Beginning in 2012, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

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“KMMG has a deep appreciation for the traditions of this area that makes it such a special place to live,” said Randy Jackson, KMMG’s vice president of human resources and administration. “We want thank the city of Valley for continuing this tradition for the families of this Greater Valley Area.”

Valley Mayor Arnold Leak thanked KMMG for the donation to help continue a tradition that has been a part of this area’s Christmas time plans since 1956.

“Thanks to sponsors like KMMG, we are able to continue traditions that have become so special to the residents of this region,” said Leak.

The 2011 Christmas Merry Go Round will be located in the Langdale community of Valley on the old tennis court area in front of Langdale Mill. It will first arrive on site Dec. 2 and will become open to the public Dec. 5-24. On Friday and Saturday evenings, a Christmas Village will also be set up where children can meet Santa Claus.

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About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. At full capacity, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

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Mr. Byung Mo Ahn, the group president and CEO for Kia Motors America and KMMG, said that it has been a very successful two years since the start of mass production of the Kia Sorento and he looks for continued growth and success as KMMG goes forward.

“When you think about where we started two years ago with one shift and 1,200 team members and where we are today with three shifts and more than 3,000 team members, it is really an incredible story,” said Ahn. “All of our success here in West Point can be credited to the dedication of our team members and the world-class quality they put into each vehicle we build.”

Since the start of production two years ago, KMMG has achieved many milestones. Below are a few of them:

• Oct. 1, 2010 – KMMG launches a second shift of production.
• April 2011 – KMMG begins a $100 million expansion that will bring the plant’s annual capacity to 360,000 units for 2012.
• June 13, 2011 – KMMG launches a third shift of production, bringing the total number of hires to more than 3,000.
• Sept. 2, 2011 – KMMG starts mass production of the 2012 Kia Optima.

In addition to the tremendous success of the more than $1 billion Kia plant, local suppliers have created another 7,500 new positions in the region to support KMMG’s annual capacity of 360,000 vehicles in 2012.

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. At full capacity, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

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“KMMG is honored to support this event for the third year in a row,” said Randy Jackson, KMMG’s vice president of human resources and administration. “Organizations like the Boy Scouts are so important to this area and it is a privilege for KMMG to be involved.”

Accepting on behalf of the Chattahoochee Council for Boy Scouts of America was Ben Schulz, Anthony Berger and Adam Lean.

Berger thanked KMMG and noted that donations from companies like KMMG would go a long way toward helping the Boy Scouts of America fulfill its commitment to the young men of this area.

“We value our partnership with KMMG and thank all of the team members for everything they do in our communities,” said Berger.

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About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. At full capacity, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

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“Expanding the railway system behind the plant is a big part of KMMG’s ability to continue to supply our dealerships with the vehicles in the timeliest manner possible,” said Randy Jackson, KMMG’s vice president of human resources and administration. “This project is another big success for our company as we head toward a full capacity of more than 300,000 units per year.”

The KMMG rail spur now has a capacity of 90 rail cars on the tracks, up from 36. This has allowed the addition of tri-level carriers to transport the 2012 Kia Optima midsize sedan to join the bi-level carriers already in place. Five tracks can now be loaded at once, up from three. The lengthening of the track will now allow 18 rail cars, which is up from 12.

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. At full capacity, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

“We are delighted to make this donation because we know that by exposing fire fighters to current automotive technology we are contributing to safer communities,” said Keun Sik Kim, senior vice president, human resources, administration, legal and public relations.   

The 18 Sorentos are pre-production models meaning they are not permitted to be driven on public roadways.

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production of the 2011 Kia Sorento on Nov. 16, 2009. At full capacity, the plant will have the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

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