Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, sixth from right, poses with a Kia Telluride SUV at the company’s plant in Georgia, Tuesday (local time). Courtesy of Kia.
Kia has initiated production of its Telluride hybrid SUV at its West Point production line in Georgia, in a key milestone for the carmaker as the first hybrid model ever produced at the plant.
The first-generation Telluride garnered major accolades in 2020, including North American Utility Vehicle of the Year, significantly elevating the carmaker’s brand stature across the United States.
The Telluride debuted in the U.S. in 2019 and has since become one of the carmaker’s most successful models. Kia plans to launch the second-generation version in the U.S. this year, possibly by the end of the first quarter.
The Georgia plant also saw another noteworthy achievement, reaching an accumulated production of five million vehicles as of Tuesday (local time).
Since launching operations in 2009, the factory has grown into one of the region’s leading employers and served as a key production base for the automotive industry in the southeastern area of the country.
Produced exclusively at the West Point plant, the Telluride has also become a symbol of Kia’s growth in the U.S. The SUV has played a pivotal strategic role in strengthening the brand’s presence and revving up vehicle sales by reflecting the needs of North American consumers and the specific driving conditions there.
Yoon Seung-kyu, president and CEO of Kia North America, said the start of production carries significance beyond the launch of a new model.
“Kia Georgia is the only plant in the world producing the Telluride,” Yoon said. “Reaching five million units in cumulative output and producing Georgia’s first hybrid vehicle clearly demonstrates Kia’s technological advancement and strategic direction for the future.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also spoke highly of Kia’s latest milestone.
Source: Korea Times News
