Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Resumes Full Production

WEST POINT, GA--March 27, 2012: Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) resumed full mass production as of Monday, March 26 following a fire at a key supplier on March 17 that caused delays at the plant last week.

Byung Mo Ahn, Group President and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, said that KMMG's quick resumption of full production after the fire was a testament to this region's teamwork and also its commitment to Kia's success. More than 250 team members, special experts from the Hyundai Motor Group and responders from KMMG suppliers voluntarily participated all together in the clean-up and recovery efforts.

"To have such a rapid and complete recovery would not have been possible without the strong support received from the State of Georgia, Troup County, Harris County, the City of West Point, the Hyundai Motor Group, suppliers and our team members," said Ahn. "It is remarkable that our production is back online just one week later, and I want to say a heartfelt thank you for the continued and ongoing efforts."

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production on Nov. 16, 2009. KMMG is home to the 2012 Sorento CUV and the 2012 Optima mid-size sedan, two of the brand's top selling models in 2011. Beginning in 2012, the plant has the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.