Kia Motors produces two millionth US-made vehicle

Posted on 4 Apr 2016 by Tim Brown

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) celebrated as the plant's two millionth vehicle, a white 2016 Sorento SXL, rolled off the assembly line in West Point, Georgia.

Representing an investment of more than $1.1 billion, KMMG began mass production on November 16, 2009 and today produces more than forty percent of all Kia vehicles sold in the United States.

“Assembling two million vehicles in less than seven years is a remarkable achievement, and one that each of our team members can take a lot of pride in,” said KMMG President and CEO Hyun-Jong Shin. “The world-class quality that goes into every Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan we build is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our team members, and today we salute their commitment to excellence.”

Together with on-site and local suppliers, KMMG is responsible for the creation of more than 15,000 jobs in West Point and the surrounding region, and achieved its highest-ever ranking – top five among vehicle assembly plants in the U.S. – in J.D. Power’s most recent Initial Quality Study.

“Together, Kia and Georgia have a strong reputation of success,” said Governor Nathan Deal. “The company’s continued investment in the state speaks volumes to our pro-business atmosphere, and we will continue to support them as they grow here. I want to congratulate Kia’s team members on this accomplishment.”

Kia US history and new senior executive

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for the Korean-based Kia Motors. With an annual capacity of 360,000 units, KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production on November 16, 2009. The KMMG site produces the Kia Sorento and the Optima mid-size sedan, two of the brand’s top selling models in the US.

In 2011 KMMG invested $100m to expand the plant with total investment at the site reaching $1.1bn.

KMMG also recently hired its first American to join the automaker’s C-Suite with J. Randy Jackson named chief administrative officer of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.

“Jackson helped open the plant and since his arrival, KMMG has hired more than 3,000 team members and successfully launched three shifts of production,” the company said in a statement. “Jackson has also led the effort to cultivate the “Kia Way” philosophy, which emphasizes a one-system one-team approach based on trust, mutual respect and effective two-way communication.”