Kia looking to assemble vehicles in Georgia

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Hyundai, Kia


Since Hyundai/Kia has dropped the idea of a pickup truck, Kia's new assembly plant in West Point, Georgia will instead turn out small cars. The first vehicle that will roll off the assembly lines in 2009 is Kia's Sorento, with body on frame construction well suited to a pickup. What doesn't seem primed for a pickup, however, is a softening market, so Kia has decided to redouble its efforts on small cars.

No details about the upcoming car were discussed, only that we should expect a Spectra-sized C-segment vehicle that may be shared with Hyundai. Hyundai CEO Kim Dong-Jin confessed to the organization losing its way slightly by slacking off on small, high volume cars and going after larger vehicles to bolster the brand images and offerings. A return to its roots will please dealers, and the Genesis Coupe will kick off a turbocharging frenzy at Kia, which will focus on small displacement forced induction engines.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

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[EdVoylesHyundai]

I haven't driven by the construction site yet, but our service manager drove past it last weekend and said the facility takes up nearly 2 miles of road frontage, on Interstate 85 no less. This place is going to be massive, with 2 exits dedicated solely to the factory and supplier buildings.

On a side note, I cannot wait for the influx of small, light, turbocharged cars into the market!!! The inherent tunability and driving dynamics of small turbo cars make for an involving automotive experience not found in larger, naturally aspirated vehicles.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Wow. I'd love to see pictures. If you take any, post them up. Me to about the small turbo cars. It's going to get very interesting.. How light can they get them, though? Cars are so heavy these days because of federal safety regulations. Soon we're going to be driving our homes around.

 

[stimr2]

I agree with you guys about the small turbocharged cars and that the cars have become ridiculously heavy these days. But automakers do plan on using more exotic materials to make cars lighter. Especially with the rise in fuel costs. So who says that cars can't be fast and bad on gas mileage. In my opinion the future still looks bright especially for tuner cars.

 

[Sal Collaziano]

I just hope the exotic materials aren't going to boost the price of the cars too much...

 

[Michael_S]

On a side note, I cannot wait for the influx of small, light, turbocharged cars into the market!!! The inherent tunability and driving dynamics of small turbo cars make for an involving automotive experience not found in larger, naturally aspirated vehicles.

Volkswagen's 2.0 liter turbo, GM's 2.0 liter turbo, and BMW's 3.0 liter twin turbo all make all or almost all of their peak torque below 2000 RPMs.

The old saying was, "There's no replacement for displacement". I don't think that's true any more.

 

[stimr2]

I just hope the exotic materials aren't going to boost the price of the cars too much...

Hopefully, when these exotic materials are mass-produced the cost will go down. Here's a link from autoblog about automakers using more exotic materials. http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/24/honda-and-nissan-working-to-mass-market-carbon-fiber/

 

[Sal Collaziano]

Hopefully, when these exotic materials are mass-produced the cost will go down. Here's a link from autoblog about automakers using more exotic materials. http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/24/honda-and-nissan-working-to-mass-market-carbon-fiber/

As long as the carbon fiber can be painted - it would be fine with me. I don't like the carbon fiber look....