Groundbreaking for Kia's First U.S. Plant To Take Place Today

Washington DC October 20, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that Kia Motors President Chung Eui Sun is coming to America this week to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the automaker's $1 billion assembly plant in West Point, Georgia.

The automaker had planned to host the event in April, but plans were delayed when South Korean prosecutors would not allow Chung to travel amid an ongoing investigation by the South Korean government.

The plant is expected to be completed in 2009, with an initial capacity target of 200,000 vehicles annually.

Kia's year-to-date sales are up 2.6 percent so far in 2006.