Kia begins bolting-up all-new Sorentos at its first North American assembly plant

The first North American-built Kia - a white, all-new Sorento - rolled off the production line yesterday at the Korean automaker’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia, southwest of Atlanta.

Representing an investment of US$1 billion, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) will produce 300,000 vehicles a year at full steam and employee about 10,000 people on-site and at the surrounding suppliers.

Kia says KMMG is utilizing some of the world's most advanced manufacturing techniques, with modern features like height-adjustable conveyors on the 0.8 km (half mile) assembly line and the only wood flooring in a North American plant. Both are designed to improve the comfort of workers.

KMMG is built on 8.9 square kilometres (2,200 acres) of land. Aside from the main assembly plant, there’s a 3.2 km test track, a six-speed transmission shop and a body stamping facility with a 57 metre long (186 ft.) press that goes from six metres (20 ft.) below ground to 12 metres (39.4 ft.) above.

“The start of production for our first manufacturing facility in the United States further demonstrates our commitment to growth in North America,” said B.M. Ahn, president and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG.

Kia already has facilities in U.S., including a design centre in Irvine, Calif., an R&D centre in Ann Arbor, Mich. and vehicle proving grounds in Mojave, Calif