Kia Looks to Add Workers in Georgia

IRVINE, Calif.—Kia Motors Corp. is preparing to add a third shift at its plant in Georgia that makes the Sorento sport-utility vehicle, U.S. executives said.




The South Korean car maker is taking applications for the position at its West Point, Georgia plant, but hasn't finalized the move. The same plant also makes the Hyundai Santa Fe. Kia is partially owned by Hyundai and shares engineering and some manufacturing, but has separate sales and marketing.



"We are looking at a third shift, at hiring employees to be prepared for a third shift if demand should continue to run," said Tom Loveless, vice president for sales at Kia Motors America in an interview.



The Sorento made up about 30% of Kia's sales last year, but the newly redesigned Optima sedan is selling very well, helping to boost the company's U.S. sales up 31% this year so far and increase its market share.



Optima sales are up 54% through the first two months of the year. Kia is gaining market share and was one of three brands, including Subaru and Hyundai, that increased sales during the steep drop in U.S. demand in 2009.



The plant in Georgia, which was finished in February 2010, can build cars, but there are no plans right now to move production from Korea, where all of Kia's other vehicles are produced, Mr. Loveless said.



Demand for Kia's vehicles globally may constrain the company's ability to supply cars if the U.S. market grows beyond 13.5 million units this year, he said.