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Hyundai and Kia Celebrate Grand Opening of a New $60 Million California-Based Proving Ground

- Dong Jin Kim, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, and Local Officials Celebrate the Innovative Proving Ground -

CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif., Jan. 26 -- Dong Jin Kim, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Company, today joined a select group of VIPs for the grand opening of Hyundai's first U.S. proving ground in California City, Calif. The 4,300-acre, $60-million facility is the test site for next-generation Hyundai and Kia vehicles. The Hyundai-Kia Motors California Proving Ground furthers Hyundai's growing investment in the United States and reaffirms the company's commitment to designing Hyundai and Kia products for North American consumers.

The Hyundai-Kia Motors California Proving Ground site is located 100 miles north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert (north of State Highway 58). Construction began in February 2004 and was substantially completed by October 2004. The grounds include a 6.4-mile oval track, 2 million square-foot Vehicle Dynamics Area (VDA), a 2.75-mile winding track, a 3.3-mile hill road and various special surface roads constructed to duplicate U.S. highways.

The Proving Ground also includes a 30,000 square-foot office complex for its 50 staff members.

"The Hyundai-Kia Motors California Proving Ground will ensure that Hyundai and Kia continue to develop the highest quality vehicles," said Dong Jin Kim, vice chairman, Hyundai Motor Company. "Hyundai and Kia are committed to the U.S., and this facility will help us design vehicles that appeal to consumers in this market as well as worldwide."

"California City is honored to be the home of the Hyundai-Kia Motors California Proving Ground," said Larry Adams, mayor of California City. "For the past two years, Hyundai and Kia have been welcome neighbors, and we look forward to working with them in the years to come."

Hyundai Motor America, based in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sports utility vehicles are distributed in the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 660 dealerships nationwide. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, Korea. It is responsible for the technical development of cars and trucks in North America, including governmental certification issues. Its headquarters are located in Ann Arbor, Mich., with two branch offices in the Los Angeles area.

Kia Motors America, the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea, offers a full line-up of vehicles, including: Rio subcompact sedan and Rio Cinco wagon; four-door Spectra compact sedan and five-door Spectra5 sport hatch; Optima midsize sedan; Sportage small SUV; Sorento midsize SUV; Sedona minivan; and Amanti large premium sedan. For more information, visit www.kiamedia.com.