The first ever U.S.-made Kia, a 2011 Sorento, rolled off the production line, at the South Korean automaker's newly built factory in the state of Georgia, on Tuesday. The US$1 billion manufacturing plant is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles a year at full capacity and employ 2,500 workers directly, with on-site and nearby suppliers creating another 7,500 additional jobs in the area.

"The start of production at our first manufacturing facility in the United States further demonstrates our commitment to growth in North America and we are proud to be adding 2,500 jobs to the local economy," said B.M. Ahn, President and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG).

With the opening of the Georgia plant, Kia's total global production capacity currently stands at 2.56 million vehicles per year of which 1.53 million units are built at the firm's factories in Korea, 430,000 units in China, 300,000 units in Slovakia and now, 300,000 units in the US.

Source Carworld