Hyundai Automotive Group Breaks Ground on First North American Proving Ground

         - Mong-Koo Chung, Chairman and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company
  and Kia Motors Corporation, Participates in the Ceremonial Groundbreaking
                   of the $50 million California Facility -

    CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif., Feb. 11 -- Mong-Koo Chung, chairman
and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation, joined a select
group of VIPs in a ceremonial groundbreaking on Hyundai's first U.S. proving
ground in California City, Calif.  The 4,300-acre, $50-million facility will
be the test site for next-generation Hyundai and Kia vehicles.  The
Hyundai/Kia Motors 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 Proving Ground site is located 100 miles north of
Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert (north of State Highway 58).  Construction
will begin later this year and the facility is scheduled to open in late 2004.
The grounds will include a 6.4-mile oval track, a Vehicle Dynamics Area (VDA),
a vehicle-handling course inside the oval track, a paved hill road, and
several special surface roads.  A 30,000-square-foot complex for offices will
also be constructed.
    "The U.S.-based Hyundai/Kia Motors Proving Ground will ensure that future
Hyundai and Kia vehicles are designed with the North American consumer in
mind," said Chairman Chung.  "Hyundai is committed to building on the momentum
we've established in the U.S., and this state-of-the-art testing facility will
help us do so."
    "California City is excited to welcome Hyundai Automotive Group into our
community," said Larry Adams, mayor of California City.  "Hyundai's excellent
reputation as a responsible corporate partner, and its eagerness to contribute
to the culture of our city, are signs of the benefits 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 600 dealerships nationwide.  For more information,
visit http://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 is the U.S. sales, marketing and service arm of Kia
Motors Corp. in Seoul, Korea.  The full line of Kia models including the
Sorento midsize SUV, Sedona minivan, Optima midsize sedan, Spectra compact
sedan and five-door hatchback as well as the Rio subcompact sedan and Rio
Cinco five-door are available at more than 600 retailers nationwide.   For
more information, visit http://www.kiamedia.com .