2012 Kia Optima Enters Production in Georgia

Production lines at the Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) plant are starting to get busy, as the company announced it has also added the 2012 model year Optima midsize sedan to the list. The plant is currently accepting applications for a third wave of hiring to support the increased production.

According to the Kia, the total number of employees here is expected to reach nearly 3,000 later this year.

The new 2011 Optima has been well received by consumers and the industry since its launch in fall 2010. It has so far received an overall five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Kia plant in Georgia began producing the 2011 Sorento in November 2009. There are more than 2,300 team members currently at the plant, which produced more than 123,500 Sorento models in 2010. With a production capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles per year, KMMG is expected to generate more than 7,500 new on-site and local supplier jobs, in addition to the 3,000 team members employed at the plant.

"The success of the West Point, Georgia plant and the high-quality Sorento CUV built there underscores the attention to detail and commitment to quality and craftsmanship exhibited by each KMMG team member and is the primary reason for Kia Motors' decision to add Optima to the plant's production line," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and KMMG. "Kia is experiencing tremendous growth in the U.S., and the increased volume at KMMG will create more jobs at the plant as well as nearby and on-site suppliers and is the latest demonstration of our unwavering commitment to the U.S. and local economies."