Despite a worldwide economic crisis and plummeting U.S. auto sales, Korean automaker Kia is planning to proceed as scheduled with its plans for an assembly plant in the United States. Company spokesman Michael Choo said the slumping economy doesn’t change Kia’s long-term goals.
“No change has been made to our schedule to complete the plant by the end of November and to start production in December,” Choo told the Associated Press.
The news follows a report by South Korean news agency Yonhap indicating the West Point, Georgia factory could be put on the back-burner. Choo said the $1.2 billion facility will not be delayed, and production is expected to start in 2009.
The plant was originally designed to produce 300,000 vehicles per year, but it’s conceivable that number might be lower initially. The factory is expected to employ 2,500 workers.
Kia’s November 2008 sales fell 37 percent in the United States, to 15,182 units, compared to November 2007. Granted, this is pretty much in line with the declines seen by all major automakers in November.
12/04, 8:32 AM
posted by:
SSEAN54
oh good, more Asian made trash.
12/04, 10:53 AM
posted by:
kharrisbob
Actually, that is American made, In Georgia. I bet they are happy to have 2500 jobs down there…
12/04, 11:01 AM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
i could care less what company came down to the US, as long as they provide good jobs, they are welcome!
12/04, 1:48 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
There you go UAW, your new home…..
12/04, 1:59 PM
posted by:
wagon
There you go, GM dies and the other automakers come in and employ Americans. It’s not the end of the world America. kharrisbob good job setting sean54 straight. If whatever Kia car is built in that plant and has poor build quality, blame it on the Americans who built it, not Koreans.
12/04, 8:24 PM
posted by:
elviososa
Why is there always a white trash talking about “Asian made trash”??