New Kia Plant Expected in Georgia

Kia Motors Corp. is expected to announce a $1.2 billion automotive assembly plant as soon as next Tuesday, and LaGrange, Georgia is its first choice, according to published reports.

The plant, which would be Georgia's first overseas automaker, would bring some 2,500 jobs to west Georgia. And it would score an economic win for a state that's learned in the past several months it is losing both its auto plants.

The plant would be the Korean automaker's first U.S. factory. It's parent, Hyundai, has a plant in Montgomery, Ala., allowing the two plants to share suppliers.

The Los Angeles Times, citing automotive industry Web site wardsauto.com, said southwestern Georgia is a leading candidate for the facility and an announcement could come March 14.

Chosun Ilbo, a daily newspaper based in Seoul, reported last week that Georgia is the probable site for the new plant. The paper quoted an unnamed official at Kia's parent company, Seoul-based Hyundai Motor Co.

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PS: I remember working with scrappy Kia in Korea in 1983. Who would have ever thought they would be opening their first US plant in 2006?