Hyundai Santa Fe to Be Built at KMMG

The Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) is getting ready to accommodate a new model, slotted for the start of production for September 27. We are talking about the 2011 Santa Fe, a model which will get its own shift on assembly lines of the plant, alongside the Kia Sorento model, in October.

The model is moving to Georgia from Alabama, where the previous generations were assembled under the same roof with the Sonata. The new line in Georgia is expected to generate additional jobs in the state. The choice to move the production here was made because the two models are similar in construction and feature more than enough common elements to make the move worth while.

The Hyundai-Kia group invested about $1 billion in the KMMG plant, currently the only plant in North America fitted with wood flooring. It is the first US-based plant belonging to the Kia-Hyundai Group and is expected to have an annual output of 300,000 cars.

The plant spreads over 2,200 acres and includes the main assembly plant, a body stamping facility, a transmission shop (produces the six-speed automatic transmission for the Sorento) and a two mile test track.

The Santa Fe is currently offered with a choice of two engines, a 2.4l that develops 175 horsepower and a 3.5l Lambda V6 outputing 276 horsepower.

Compared to the 2010 version, the new Santa Fe comes equipped with six standard airbags, including side air curtain airbags, ABS with BA, EBD, ESC, three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints and Tire Pressure Monitoring System.