We called this one back in May and now it's official: Starting on September 27, Hyundai will begin production of the Santa Fe at its Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) plant in West Point, Georgia.
The KMMG facility is currently producing the Kia Sorento-- the best selling Kia vehicle since its introduction in January of 2010. The Sorento has sold 59,024 units in seven months in the U.S. and exported cars to Canada and Puerto Rico. The Georgia facility currently employs 1,900 workers, and Kia is expecting this boost in production-- there will be a second shift added on Oct 1-- to boost that number to 7,000 including local suppliers.
"KMMG has produced 100,000 Sorentos to date and the quality, craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into building the Sorento from the entire KMMG team has helped make it the best selling Kia in the US. Building on the Sorento's initial success, this new addition to the production line expands KMMG's volume and increases our commitment to the US and local economy." said Byung Mo Ahn Group president and CEO of Kia Motors North America and KMMG.
The move will also free Hyundai's heavily burdened Alabama production facility to meet the demand for the US-built Sonata. KMMG is capable of producing 300,000 vehicles per year.
ed124c says:
07:29 AM, 08/31/10
Kinda funny that the Japanese and Koreans can build their cars in the US, but our own US auto companies have to rely on Mexican factories-- perhaps due to the UAW, but that is another story.
So, do you want to buy "American" and send the profits to the fat cats, or do you want to reward the hundreds of thousands of American workers who turn out quality vehicles in American factories?
'Tis a quandary, eh?
ptcdawg says:
04:05 PM, 08/31/10
Good news..this plant is around 75 miles from my house....it has helped the area.
notabigdeal says:
05:25 PM, 08/31/10
One of the few asian brands that come with a Made in the USA sticker.
mark19 says:
03:49 PM, 09/ 1/10
i guess ford and GM with their old ad of "buy american" won't really be able to imply that anymore now they're in canada and mexico making some of their cars.