SEOUL, February 25 (AJP) - Kia's American unit in Georgia has reached a cumulative production of 5 million vehicles, the automaker said Tuesday.
Production is expected to accelerate further as its West Point plant begins producing the new version of its Telluride SUV, adding the spacious hybrid model to the regular mass-production lineup, alongside assembly lines for midsize Sorento and compact Sportage SUVs.
With the start of hybrid production, the plant with an annual capacity of 340,000 units can produce the full range of powertrains, from internal combustion and electric to hybrid vehicles.
Kia attributed the hybrid rollout to growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles in North America, where interest in hybrids has remained steady along with fully electric vehicles. The automaker also pointed to U.S. policies that continue to promote locally built vehicles.
"The West Point plant is the only facility in the world that produces the Telluride," said Yoon Seung-kyu, head of Kia's North American sales, adding that reaching the milestone of 5 million vehicles in cumulative production, along with starting hybrid manufacturing, reflects the expansion of its local operations.
Production is expected to accelerate further as its West Point plant begins producing the new version of its Telluride SUV, adding the spacious hybrid model to the regular mass-production lineup, alongside assembly lines for midsize Sorento and compact Sportage SUVs.
With the start of hybrid production, the plant with an annual capacity of 340,000 units can produce the full range of powertrains, from internal combustion and electric to hybrid vehicles.
Kia attributed the hybrid rollout to growing demand for eco-friendly vehicles in North America, where interest in hybrids has remained steady along with fully electric vehicles. The automaker also pointed to U.S. policies that continue to promote locally built vehicles.
"The West Point plant is the only facility in the world that produces the Telluride," said Yoon Seung-kyu, head of Kia's North American sales, adding that reaching the milestone of 5 million vehicles in cumulative production, along with starting hybrid manufacturing, reflects the expansion of its local operations.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.