The Pyramid Mission

Pyramids Mission
We exist to meet the needs of people
who are developmentally disabled.
We care about the people we serve, our employees, and each other.
We provide uncompromised service.
We believe in what we do.
We make a difference.

Pyramid is an organization located in Tallahassee that is dedicated to enriching the lives of those with severe disabilities. They use art to build excitement and meaning into their disabled student's lives. According to the International Art Therapy Organization, “art therapy encourages self-expression, self-discovery and emotional growth.”  That is exactly what Pyramid is doing; their program fosters an opportunity for students to feel a part of the Tallahassee community.

The  activities in the art program range depending on the students ability and preference. The program offers a variety of involvement from painting to the performing arts. Pyramids' musical group The Pyramid Players perform in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The beautiful artwork created by the students can be seen across the state of Florida and even across state lines.  One is able to purchase paintings, jewelry, and pottery on their website: http://www.pyramidinc.org/gallery.htm. At Kia Autosport we have more than five beautiful paintings displayed in our office and waiting room.

Beyond the arts program Pyramid provides therapeutic repositioning, physical/nutritional and behavioral assistance, peer counseling, sensory integration, social and life-management skills training and a variety of educational classes designed to increase their independence.

Pyramid supplies an abundance of programs to improve the lives of severely disabled community members. Pyramid in a non-profit and has been supported by Medicaid before but it’s not always enough. A primary source of their support is through fundraising, partnerships with the university, and private businesses. Cue Kia Autosport and the Tallahassee community.

Together we can support a group that supports our community.

Throughout the month of March we will donate $50 for every car sold and we will be collecting donations at the dealership. As well March 30^th we will have a Pyramid Party with the students. It will be an eye opening- and awe inspiring experience that we invite you to join. 

“Pyramid’s programs are shaped by an innate belief in the abilities of the people we serve, by a commitment to individualized curricula and a holistic view of our students’ lives.”

KIA Fuel Economy- MPG Information

We are extremely sorry for the errors affecting our valued customers.  Working along-side KIA Corporate we are dedicated to doing everything we can to keep you fully informed so you are easily able to take appropriate actions.

The Issue

KIA Motors America has announced corrections to the fuel economy ratings for approximately 300,000 KIA vehicles. An internal review has concluded that a set of procedural misinterpretations and errors at the joint Hyundai/Kia technical centers led to overstated miles per gallon (MPG) ratings for select vehicles.

How Did This Happen?

In 2009 Kia and Hyundai's joint testing facility created a new team of engineers to improve MPG testing procedures. One of the first things they attempted to do was increase test accuracy and repeatability by creating additional protocols, which complied with EPA guidelines, for Kia engineers to follow in every test to enhance reliability. What we learned from the EPA is that some of those new procedures do not comply with their interpretation and industry practices and led to overstated MPG ratings.

Affected Models

·         The MPG ratings affect a select group of 2011-2013 KIA vehicles.

·         To see if your vehicle is affected go to: https://kiampginfo.com/overview/affected-models

-IF you find your vehicle is affected continue to filing the claim process.

You will need you VIN number to see if your model is affected:

·         VIN stands for vehicle identification number and is a unique 17-character number, containing both numbers and letters, to identify your vehicle.

-Your VIN can be found by looking at the dashboard on the driver's side of the vehicle. The easiest way to view it is to stand outside the vehicle on the driver's side and look at the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. VINs are also listed on insurance cards/policies and vehicle registration documentation.

Claim Process

KIA is committed to fully reimbursing current and former vehicle owners, that were affected, for the difference in fuel costs associated with miles per gallon (MPG) rating changes. Our top priority is to make things right.

·         Go to https://kiampginfo.com/ to enter your VIN number to see if your vehicle is eligible for reimbursement. (To find VIN number see above)  

·         Currently the function for customers to estimate their fuel reimbursement is unavailable. If an eligible VIN is supplied (step above), you will be asked to provide your contact information so you can be notified when the reimbursement estimator is available.

·         You will receive an acknowledgment email confirming your submission.

·         In a few days you will receive another email notifying that you are able to log back in and estimate your fuel reimbursement.  At this point follow the steps listed below.

Current Owners:

1.       Register your contact information at www.KiaMPGinfo.com

2.       Obtain ownership and mileage verification from authorized KIA dealer

-For telephone assistance contact the KIA Fuel Economy Ratings Adjustment Program Center at 855.912.5648

3.       Once an owner’s claim has been approved following the registration and ownership/mileage verification process, owners will be sent a debit card for the amount of their reimbursement.

IMPORTANT: Current and former owners may register for mileage reimbursement beginning November 2, 2012. Owners must register online to make their first claim by December 1, 2013.

Former Owners

 Former owners who sold their car on or before November 2, 2012 can make a claim by follow these east steps:

1.       Register contact information at www.KiaMPGinfo.com

2.        Provide proof of mileage during their ownership of the vehicle (e.g., purchase and sale documents, odometer disclosure statements, smog certification, repair orders or other documents demonstrating mileage).

-KIA is currently building the process for online submission of these ownership and mileage documents. Former owners who provide an email address will receive notification when the online submission process is available for submission of documents.

-For telephone assistance contact the KIA Fuel Economy Ratings Adjustment Program Center at 855.912.5648

3.      Once an owner’s claim has been approved following the registration and ownership/mileage verification process, owners will be sent a debit card for the amount of their reimbursement.

IMPORTANT: Current and former owners may register for mileage reimbursement beginning November 2, 2012. Owners must register online to make their first claim by December 1, 2013.

Compensation

Mileage Formula- Everything you need to know about how the reimbursement amount is calculated.

Owners will be reimbursed based on:

1.       Mileage accrued by the owner during their ownership period.

2.       2012 average fuel prices for their geographic area as provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (http://www.eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel)

         - 2012 average fuel prices will vary by geographic area (e.g., New England area states, Gulf Coast area states, West Coast area states, etc.).

3.       The change in combined (city/hwy) fuel economy estimates for their vehicle.

-Details of the actual fuel economy rating change for each affected vehicle type can be found online at www.KiaMPGinfo.com.

4.       PLUS an additional 15% premium

- Owners will receive a debit card with reimbursement based on the above formula.

Timeframes

1.       Current and former owners may register for mileage reimbursement beginning November 2, 2012. Owners must register online to make their first claim by December 1, 2013.

2.       After the initial reimbursement, current owners are eligible for subsequent reimbursements based upon the actual miles driven thereafter.

- An additional verification of ownership and mileage must be made at an authorized KIA dealer to generate a subsequent incremental reimbursement. Eligibility for a subsequent reimbursement begins at least ninety (90) days following any previous reimbursements and when the reimbursement value reaches at least $25, or when the owner ceases ownership of their vehicle, whichever comes first.

- Former owners may make only one claim per vehicle since their mileage driven has already been defined.

3.       Mileage will not be reimbursed for new owners taking ownership of any of the affected vehicles after November 2, 2012.

4.       Once a customer has registered for the program and visited an authorized Kia dealer for ownership and mileage verification, the reimbursement debit card is expected to be mailed within fifteen (15) business days.

- Owners with questions regarding their reimbursement or the reimbursement process are encouraged to contact the Kia Fuel Economy Ratings Adjustment Program Center at 855.912.5648.

Further Information

 We are extremely apoplectic to any inconvenience the MPG rating has caused you. We hope that our transparent actions and nationwide efforts to fix the problem exemplifies our dedication to our customers.  For any unanswered questions please go to the KIA MPG Information website at https://kiampginfo.com/. This website was specifically developed to help make this process as easy as possible for you.

Customer satisfaction is very important to us, so we want to make sure that you have the latest information about this situation. If you have any questions about your MPG ratings, whether your vehicle is affected and eligible for reimbursement, or need information on how to apply for compensation, please contact the KIA Fuel Economy Ratings Adjustment Program Center at 855.912.5648. For all other matters involving your KIA vehicle, please contact our Kia Consumer Assistance Center at 800-333-4KIA (4542).

For media inquiries, please visit us at www.kiamedia.com or contact Scott McKee at smckee@kiausa.com.

  

Getting Ready for the 4th of July!

I hope everyone follows us on facebook. If for no other reason than to see the hillarious pictures we post of our sales managers in various costumes.

Here is an example:

I ordered the costumes for the 4th of July alittle early this year, so by doing so we had more time to put them to good use. What good use, you may ask?

A TV COMMERCIAL! Here is alittle preview:


We always get great feedback from our commercials, and we hope ya'll will love it! Of course, the most important part of our commercials are the deals and sales, so we are excited to announce some great specials and sales for the month of July. I can not believe how fast this summer is going, so we want to make sure all of our blog, facebook, and twitter followers are getting the most out of it as well!

Happy Summer & Let us know what you think about the July commercial!

Ps. for all of you Breanna lovers, there may be something in store for you as well in our new commercial!!

Has It Really Been A Year Already?

It is that time again...Launch Party!

We are so excited for our 2011 Launch Party that is happening THIS Thursday at 6pm!

We are hosting Piggy's BBQ, the local radio stations, AND Boyd and Woody Hayes!

There will be FREE dinner, LIVE entertainment, and a chance to WIN some great prices!!

Last but not least, Wolf 103.1 will be raffling off George Strait and Reba McEntire Tickets!

We are so glad to have an amazing inventory on our lot, and we want all of our readers to come down and help us launch our 2011 vehicles!!

Look forward to seeing you all out here; for more information see our facebook page event!

The BDC & ThE 2011 Sorento

Today is Thursday, so as promised, I am posting an article about one of our top-sellers!

The Sorento is easily one of our family members' favorite cars. Our general manager, Melanie Lee swears by hers. I am glad that Car and Driver agrees!


2011 Kia Sorento - Second Drive - Auto Reviews - Car and Driver

Not only are we glad to have such a great vehicle on our lot, but here at Kia Autosport of Tallahassee, we are also glad to have such a great Internet Department!

When I first started working here, I kept hearing "BDC", "BDC". All I could think was "WHAT IS THE BDC & WHAT DO THEY DO??" So 6 months later, I finally decided to get an indepth definition of who they are! To all of my loyal readers, I'd like to introduce you to some of our most important family members...

"Hello, I'm Cindy, the BDC Supervisor. As a part of the BDC, I can say that we greatly appreciate your business, and we try to go above and beyond expectations when assisting our customers. When recomending a car, I always go to the 2011 Forte Koup. It is,in my own opinion, our most sporty and attractive car!"

"My name is Monica, and as a part of the Kia AutoSport family for over three years, we aim to provide customers with the information they need to make an informed buying decision. A year and half ago, I purchased my very own Kia Sorento. Being a previous Volvo, Honda, Isuzu and Toyota owner I can vow Kia is hands down the best vehicle on the market for the quality of vehicle you receive for an un-beatable price. The safety, comfort, performance and handling my Sorento offers is unlike any vehicle I have driven and has always guaranteed I arrivesafe and sound for my long 500miles drive home to visit my family. Kia AutoSport’s service team makes sure my Sorento is in tip-top shape to assure the maximal performance from my vehicle. The new 2011 Sorentos are so stunning; I may have to get in on the incredible lease programs we are offering right now. Call me, Monica Garcia, to find out how you can take advantage of this and many more offers and become a satisfied Kia owner just like me! Se habla Espanol =)”

Kia Forte Awarded Edmunds.com Consumers' Top Rated(R) Vehicle Award

Kia Forte Awarded Edmunds.com Consumers' Top Rated(R) Vehicle Award

Forte is Top-Rated Sedan by Consumers in 'Under $15,000' Category

- Kia compact sedan recognized for high owner satisfaction

- Forte lauded for style, abundant features and overall value
IRVINE, Calif., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan has been named the top-rated sedan under $15,000 in the Edmunds.com Consumers' Top Rated®(1) vehicle awards for 2010. Forte earned strong marks for its excellent overall value, wealth of standard features, being one of the best-looking small cars on the market and most fun-to-drive vehicles in its class.

"As one of several new vehicles to roll out under Kia's exciting new design direction, accolades such as this Edmunds.com award, which provides feedback directly from owners, are evidence of Kia's commitment to consumers by offering vehicles with the content buyers want without breaking the pocketbook," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. "Forte offers buyers a youthful and dynamically styled vehicle with an impressive array of standard safety features, and being honored as a top-rated sedan under $15,000 by consumers furthers its position as a top contender in its segment and a vehicle that offers the entire package."

Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, pricing for the Forte sedan starts at $13,695 for the LX trim, while the EX begins at $15,995 and the SX starts at $17,495(2). In addition to competitive pricing, Forte also showcases a class-leading combination of standard safety features with active front headrests, advanced two-stage airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with an antilock brake system (ABS), brake assist (BAS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), a traction control system (TCS) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

All Forte models also come well-stocked with a long list of standard amenities, starting with a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service(3). Also standard on all models is an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players as well as Bluetooth®(4) wireless technology and connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free operation for all compatible mobile phones.

To determine the winners of the 21 vehicle categories, Edmunds.com invited owners to use the Consumer Ratings and Reviews feature, where they are able to evaluate their new or used vehicles in eight different categories, including performance, comfort, fuel economy, driving impressions, interior design, exterior design, build quality and reliability. Top-rated vehicles are those that received the highest average rating from visitors as of April 28, 2010.

Kia Motors America in 2010

Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share. With four new vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and with new technology such as UVO powered by Microsoft®(5) infotainment system (expected to be available in select Kia models in the U.S. beginning in summer 2010). The launch of the 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be assembled(6) at Kia's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup, and is now in dealerships.

Hyundai-Kia hybrids use ‘breakthrough’ battery technologies

Hyundai-Kia hybrids use ‘breakthrough’ battery technologies
Namyang, South Korea — Globe and Mail Update
Published on Thursday, May. 13, 2010 11:43AM EDT

Last updated on Thursday, May. 13, 2010 12:32PM EDT


While they may be late coming to the hybrid party when they arrive later this year, Hyundai and Kia will bring fresh thinking and technology.

Gasoline-electric hybrid versions of the Hyundai Sonata are to roll into dealerships in the last quarter of 2010 and the Kia version – clothed in the next-generation Magentis – will follow a few months later. They will go head-to-head with existing mid-size hybrids like the Toyota Camry and Ford Fusion, but will raise the bar on both the gasoline and electric side of the fuel-saving equation.

While they operate under separate design and marketing entities, Hyundai and Kia share engineering and development resources – lots of them. The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group has 10,000 scientists and engineers in the research and development department with a $4-billion operating budget. It has already produced thousands of gasoline-electric hybrids, including LPG-electric versions, hundreds of plug-in hybrids and dozens of third-generation, fuel-cell vehicles.


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Determined to leapfrog the Japanese, the first Hyundai and Kia hybrids coming to North America will include advances in engine, transmission and battery technologies. They will use a four-cylinder engine operating on the Atkinson cycle like the competition, but boast direct injection. Instead of the oft-criticized continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Sonata/Magentis will offer a conventional six-speed automatic. And where current hybrids use nickel-metal hydride batteries with lithium-ion units on the near horizon, the Sonata/Magentis pair will employ the first lithium-polymer batteries.

The two will use the usual tricks like tall gearing, low-rolling-resistance tires, low-drag aerodynamics and engine start/stop. But their proprietary hybrid system promises the biggest improvements, especially for highway mileage.

The system, which Hyundai will call Blue Drive and Kia ECOdrive, is a conventional parallel hybrid in that the car can operate on an 2.4-litre, 169-horsepower gasoline engine, an electric motor or both. But this one will use a lithium-polymer battery pack that weighs 43.6 kg compared to 56.3 kg for the nickel-metal-hydride unit in the Camry, which has almost identical energy capacity. It is also 50 per cent smaller and 10 per cent more efficient.

The “breakthrough” lightweight, compact 1.6-kilowatt-hour/270-volt lithium-polymer battery pack was developed with partner LG Chemical Limited, which will also provide batteries for the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in electric car. It will be paired with a 40-horsepower electric motor, driving the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine-motor pairing results in 209 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque (You can’t simply add the output of the engine and electric motor as their power peaks at different points).

A second, 11.5-horsepower, electric starter-generator will be employed to restart the engine and provide some recharging assist for the main battery pack.

The lithium-polymer batteries have 175 per cent greater volumetric efficiency allowing them to be smaller and lighter while producing the same power. They also hold their charge 20 per cent longer. Compared to lithium-ion batteries that the rest of the industry is about to introduce, the lithium-polymer units last longer, cost less to make and have a higher energy density according to Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group scientists. They also claim lithium-polymer offers “more thermal robustness” than the lithium-ion batteries used in cell phones and laptops. The Sonata/Magentis battery pack will have a warranty of 10 years or 244,000 km.

The principal overall difference between the Sonata/Magentis hybrids and others is that they have been developed to maximize highway mileage compared to those currently on the market, which emphasize city mileage.

The Sonata/Magentis hybrids will offer a 40 per cent increase in city mileage compared to models equipped with the normal 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, while also offering best-in-class highway mileage.

The Toyota/Ford systems use a CVT with integrated electric motor. The Sonata/Magentis use a six-speed automatic with an electric motor replacing the torque converter. The goal is 6.4 litres/100 km in the city and 6.0 on the highway, which would put them well ahead of the current mid-size hybrids.

The South Korean hybrids are also designed to travel at up to 100 km/h on battery power alone. The current champ is the Fusion Hybrid at 75 km/h.

The Sonata/Magentis also promise the best performance because of the combination of more power and less weight – they tip the scales at 120 kg less than the best of the current crop, the Fusion.

From Georgia comes Kia's latest ride

From Georgia comes Kia's latest ride

By Dave Hodges
DEMOCRAT BUSINESS EDITOR

January 30, 2010

Bathed in floodlights and adorned with red, white and blue balloons, the car appeared to have celebrity status even before you could get close enough to learn the whole story.

Melanie Lee, general manager of Kia AutoSport on West Tennessee Street, had the open house Thursday night to get that word out. The shiny 2011 Sorrento in "white sand beige" and leather seats came not from South Korea but West Point, Ga.
There, Kia Motors America invested $1 billion at the 2,200-acre site to build a plant that will turn out up to 300,000 vehicles a year, Lee said.
She is particularly excited about the Georgia product — her family also owns the Kia dealerships in Albany and Columbus. Having product made practically in their backyard is no doubt a source of pride and of interest to potential customers as well.
"I know having a vehicle manufactured in the United States will be huge," Lee said, adding that car shoppers often tell her they'd consider a Kia along with the American makes if it, too, were a domestic product.

Kia's California and Michigan centers are devoted to automotive design and research. West Point is the first production facility here, and it has generated about 2,500 jobs, plus another 7,500 for suppliers. Lee says two more models will be produced there as output grows.
For 2009, Kia reported its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share, up 46 percent over 2008. Lee looks ahead with optimism. "We are very positive. We had a great January," she said. "Customers are putting us on their shopping list more and more these days, which is exciting to us."

A few feet from the Sorrento was a bright red Kia Soul, the sporty model that you may have seen four hamsters riding around in on TV. Lee says with a grin that Kia's Super Bowl commercial will follow that same theme, though she wouldn't divulge who'll be driving.
Guess we'll have to watch and find out.

Dave Hodges
Business Editor

EDMUNDS.COM NAMES 2010 KIA SOUL AND SEDONA “TOP RECOMMENDED” VEHICLES FOR 2010

IRVINE, Calif., January 19, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — Adding to an already extensive list of prestigious honors and recognitions, the Kia Soul urban passenger vehicle and Sedona minivan each were named as “Top Recommended” vehicles for 2010 while Soul and the Forte compact sedan were listed among the top 10 “Consumers’ Favorite Cars for College Students” list by leading automotive research site Edmunds.com. Soul, Forte and Sedona each were highlighted for their individual abilities to aptly meet consumers’ needs in their respective segments and still offer an outstanding value.

“Soul and Forte provide buyers youthful and dynamically styled vehicles with an impressive array of standard safety features, high-tech features and extensive personalization options while Sedona presents excellent safety features, convenience and comfort,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). “It is a testament to the Kia brand to have all three vehicles that embody Kia’s core philosophies of quality, value, safety and style honored by a trusted online automotive resource like Edmunds.com.”

Edmunds.com selected the Top Recommended vehicles as part of its 2010 New Car Buying Guide to assist consumers with the new car buying process. The final Top Recommended list was compiled from multiple categories, including Top Recommended Sedans, Trucks, SUVs, Wagons and Minivans, Diesels, Convertibles, Coupes and for Mobility Challenged Drivers.

The “Consumers’ Favorite Cars for College Students” list is part of a monthly initiative where Edmunds.com invites consumers to participate in surveys to vote on their favorite vehicles in different categories, including favorite luxury sedans, midsize family sedans, hybrids, off-roaders, convertibles, family haulers and economy cars. Like the Top Recommended vehicles, the results are published online to help assist car buyers with future purchasing decisions.

Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, Kia Motors’ affordable halo vehicle offers an attractive starting price below $14,0001. Four special edition Souls, based on the Soul+ trim, also are being released throughout the year, including Denim Soul, Ignition Soul and most recently Shadow Dragon Soul. Offering consumers even more ways to personalize Soul, each special edition comes with its own unique exterior color and packaging.

The uniquely styled Soul offers an extensive list of standard safety features, including front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags, an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Front and rear crumple zones, side-impact door beams, an impact-absorbing steering column and Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system also come standard.

Available in three trims, LX, EX and SX, pricing for the Forte sedan starts at $13,6951 for the LX trim, while the EX begins at $15,9951 and the SX starts at $17,4951. In addition to competitive pricing, Forte comes well-stocked with a long list of standard amenities, starting with a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service2. Also standard on all models is an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal MP3 players as well as Bluetooth®3 wireless technology and connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free operation for all compatible mobile phones.

The 2010 Sedona is available in three trims, base, LX and EX. Pricing for the Sedona starts at $21,2454, while moving up to the LX trim starts at $22,2454, and the EX models begin at $27,7454. A segment leader in value and safety, Sedona, named the “safest minivan ever tested” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), offers consumers invaluable protection provided by a wide range of standard safety features, including six standard airbags (dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags for all three seating rows), active front headrests, a four-channel, four-sensor, Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which takes into account vehicle load and weight distribution and ensures the appropriate stopping force is used.

Kia Product Line
Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand’s continued gains in U.S. market share. The vehicle line features the stylish Forte compact sedan and all-new two-door Forte Koup, the highly personalizable Soul, functional Rondo CUV, award-winning Sedona minivan, purposeful Optima midsize sedan and versatile yet fuel-efficient Rio and Rio5 subcompacts. The launch of the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle to be built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia5, Kia’s first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup.

Kia appeals to laid-off plant workers

Special to the News

Amy Weaver
Staff Writer

Published: November 5, 2009

» 0 Comments | Post a Comment

Days after the doors to Opelika’s BFGoodrich tire manufacturing plant closed for good, those at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia opened up indefinitely.

Both Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller and KMMG officials are hopeful the reopening of Kia’s online application process for production or maintenance team member positions at the West Point, Ga., assembly facility will be an opportunity for those people who weren’t looking for a job during the first application process nearly two years ago, but are now because of recent plant closings.

“There are many qualified individuals who were secure in their employment a couple years ago, but who have lost their jobs since then,” said Randy Jackson, Kia’s director of human resources and administration. “We’d love to have them join our team.”

The closure of BFGoodrich last week left about 1,000 salaried and hourly workers unemployed.

“Those folks that were at BFGoodrich, the company couldn’t say enough good things about their performance. They all were high-performing with a good work ethic,” Fuller said. “I expect many of them to go to Kia, if they haven’t already.”

About 1,200 individuals were hired from Kia’s initial application process that drew more than 40,000 applications in a 30-day period in January 2008. This application period will remain open indefinitely. To apply, visit http://www.kiajobsingeorgia.com.

“After you’ve applied, if you meet our qualifications, we’ll invite you for an interview,” Jackson said. “If you pass the interview, we’ll invite you to the 40-hour, pre-employment assessment training delivered by Quick Start at the Kia Georgia Training Center. And if you pass that, there are still two or three further steps before the final job offer.”

New Kia Plant Open for Production

New Kia plant in Georgia begins production
The Associated Press



WEST POINT, Ga. -- The newly completed Kia Motors plant in West Point is open for business.

Production began at 7:30 a.m. Friday on the first road-ready crossover vehicle. The first shiny new Sorento will be displayed in the factory's lobby.

The plant is the South Korean company's first U.S. manufacturing plant. It cost $1 billion to build and created about 1,200 jobs.


Kia broke ground on the plant, which is near the Alabama state line, and plans to hold a ceremonial first car roll-out on Nov. 16.

Kia has plans to hire 1,200 more workers next year as production increases.

On top of the jobs created at the Kia plant, Georgia Tech estimates 20,000 new job will be created by 2012 at Kia suppliers in a nine-county area that straddles the Georgia-Alabama border.

Exciting News From the Dealer Show!

Hello everyone I just returned from the KIA Motors America Southern Region Dealer Show in Atlanta and I have to tell you it's an exciting time to be a KIA dealer and a KIA Sorento owner!

On Tuesday we took a tour of all new state of the art KIA Motors Manufacturing plant in West Point Georgia. The all new 2011 KIA Sorento will be built for America by Americans at this plant. The plant represents a 1 billion dollar investment in the USA by KIA and also is the largest investment the state of Georgia has ever seen. In addition to this record breaking investment this plant has already created over 1,200 jobs and we haven't even begun to produce vehicles. What an exciting time for neighbors in Georgia! By the time the plant is open and operational with all vendors, the site will employ up to 10,000 people. In an uncertain time where jobs are short the plant couldn't have opened at a better time.

As we toured the plant you would be amazed at the technology that will go into producing the all new Sorento. There is more robotic technology in this facility than any other plant in the United States. It's amazing to see the speed and accuracy of these machines. In the main stamping building where they produce the steel body panels there is one huge press. This thing is enormous and came all the way from Korea. The pieces traveled from Savannah to West Point with special arrangements with Georgia's Highway Patrol. In total the equipment weighed over 3,500 tons. It took the equipment over 3 days to make the journey. I would have hated to be on the road following that equipment around.

It's not all robots and huge machines, as I mentioned earlier there are already 1,200 team members producing test vehicles and more continued to be hired daily. As I walked through on our tour the team members were smiling and excited to be building vehicles. They are so thankful to have jobs and told all of us on the tour how dedicated they are to building quality vehicles. They stressed to us the want and desire to be the best of the best in the United States. As we continued our tour a different team member guided us and showed us each stage of the assembly process they complete. They did this with great pride and made me confident that they will achieve they absolute best quality vehicle for us and our customers.

Each and every Sorento produced in West Point will come off the line be quality tested in several, several different types of test, and go straight to the test track outside. I was most excited to see this track. It's 2 miles long and has several different obstacles that each and every Sorento must pass to be ready for sale. This track had over 6 different driving surfaces to create real road noise and traction. It also had a steep hill and downhill breaking scenarios to test the different breaking functions and a test for the automatic breaking system. I could go on and on about the different testing but just know that every Sorento will go through more quality test than any other vehicle on the market today. This will insure that the vehicle we deliver to you will be the best of the best.

After we had the vehicle test drivers take us on a spin we were able to get behind the wheel and see what the new Sorento could really do. I have to tell you as a 2007 KIA Sorento owner myself, I can't wait to own this vehicle. The fit, style, and performance of this vehicle surpasses every other SUV on the market today. You will definitely see why KIA Motors has the Power to Surprise when you drive this vehicle. It will come standard with blue tooth, satellite radio, and the longest warranty in the business. Not to mention more than this blog can fit of standard options. KIA has also crash tested several vehicles and anticipate a 20 star crash test rating. Along with the best gas mileage in it's class, this vehicle will definitely be on every one's shopping list.

So with all that I also need to share some other great news. In 2010 you will see a new Sportage and a new Optima. These vehicles are amazingly designed and full of equipment. I'll keep you posted as they release more information to us.

Well, I just wanted to let everyone know how exciting it is to know our vehicles will be made just up the road from us. It's also great to know that in a time where auto makers are sending jobs out KIA is bringing jobs in. I couldn't be more excited to share my experience this week with you and invite you to visit http://www.kia.com/#/upcoming/?fvVehicleID=sorento&fvPageID=intro for more information about the all new Sorento.

They told us that probably by April the plant will be open to the public for tours. We will have the all new Sorento in our showrooms by January.

I'll continue to keep you posted on KIA's growth but remember until then I wanna see ya in a KIA!!!

Melanie Lee
General Manager