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The first U.S.-built Kia Optima left the line today at the auto maker’s West Point, GA, plant.
Kia invested $100 million in its West Point facility to add an additional 60,000 units of annual capacity to meet demand for the midsize car.
Optima sales surged 245% in August to 6,157 units, WardsAuto data shows, reflecting the previous-generation Optima’s low results year-ago.
"The attention to detail and dedication to world-class quality shared by each (Kia Motor Mfg. Georgia) team member is the primary reason for Kia Motors' decision to invest an additional $100 million to expand the plant's four main shops to support Optima production,” B.M. Ahn, KMMG’s group vice president and CEO says in a statement.
The Georgia facility opened in November 2009 with annual capacity for 300,000 units and initially built the Kia Sorento cross/utility vehicle.
Last year, KMMG added Hyundai Santa Fe CUV production. The Santa Fe previously had been built at sister brand Hyundai’s Montgomery, AL, plant.
A third shift recently was added at the West Point facility to bring direct employment to 3,000.
