By While Chrysler and GM are bankrupt, KIA is busy expanding in America:
A community that seemed on the road to becoming a ghost town has taken a turn toward prosperity despite the recession, thanks to an automaker.
Korean car manufacturer Kia plans to open a sprawling automobile factory in tiny West Point, Georgia, by the end of the year. The boon has already spurred economic growth — and just plain excitement — among residents, said Mayor Drew Ferguson.
“We jokingly call it Kia-ville,” said Ferguson, a 42-year-old dentist helping to oversee expansion of West Point, population 3,500. The announcement is drawing workers and businesses to the community about 80 miles south of Atlanta.
“The revitalization of the community is touching every aspect,” Ferguson said. “We have infrastructure projects, new subdivisions going up, hotel professional services that are all needed to support the massive manufacturing.”
The plant, which will make Kia’s Sorento sport utility vehicle, has hired 500 workers. By the time the factory opens, Kia hopes to hire 2,000 more. A smattering of Kia supply companies will eventually employ 7,500 additional workers. [CNN]
With the demonizing of SUV’s by the US government & media plus the rise of gas prices it is surprising to me at least that KIA is opening a plant to make more SUV’s. Here is what the Sorrento looks like:
According to the KIA website this SUV’s price starts at $21,545. So how many people would buy this SUV if you had that kind of money available?
12:18 pm on July 10th, 2009 1
Amazing… Koreans giving jobs to americans …
Now we have a good answer to the eternal questions “Why did the Americans defend Korea in 1950?”, and the answer is: To give jobs to Americans (Are Koreans allowed to be ironical in this blog?)
I know, I know, it was rude and “politically incorrect” but hey, it doesn’t happen always, so I though I could not lose this chance.
Now, instead of just bashing Koreans like me of ingratitude, wouldn’t it be more appropriate if you guys think about how the USA let this happen? (Chrysler, GM).
Regarding KIA, it’s just a Korean company investing in USA like the USA and western countries invested in Korea. Just business.
(Now I think people here will tell me nice thinks like STFU)
12:47 pm on July 10th, 2009 2
I'll stick with Toyota. Only because of an almost unwritten guarranty of quality, fuel efficiency, and long life. Not to mention resale value.
1:16 pm on July 10th, 2009 3
The quality of KIA has been improving rapidly. Although I myself have no need for an SUV I've heard the Sorento is one of KIA's most popular vehicle due to its fuel economy, price, and quality. And this vehicle isn't really a SUV but what the auto industry calls a crossover which is smaller in size. If I had the money though I'd rather buy a Hyundai as their quality ranking is rated first among non luxury car brand. And yes, that includes Toyota and Honda. While the difference is minimal, it does tell you that their quality is at least on par with the Japanese brands, and all of American domestics of course.
1:20 pm on July 10th, 2009 4
I prefer written guaranty. Unwritten guaranty is not accepted in court.
3:29 pm on July 10th, 2009 5
It is wonderful that KIA has given a few jobs to Americans. Dr. Yu, it IS a good thing but I will state that it is hardly an equalizer. I also suspect that international corporations are more complex than this.
As far as thanking Jesus (or any other deity) I do not get it. What does Jesus have to do with this? Or, Mithras, Bhudda or Satan for that matter? I have a feeling it has more to do with the decisions of business executives and lawmakers (among other geo-political realities) rather than ethereal beings from space. Give credit where it is due.
5:22 pm on July 10th, 2009 6
There have been other Korean companies moving into Georgia for awhile now. German and Japanese too. They like our negative attitude toward unions…
And Georgia has easy transportation lanes – sea, land, and air…
5:54 pm on July 10th, 2009 7
Leon,
You are wrong.
Jesus actually sat down with the heads of Kia.
"Mornin', guys.
Listen. These yokels are kinda stupid. I'll be the first to admit it. But they are really good at praying and you know how Dad eats that shyt up.
Now, I know you can just go buy one of the many closed American car factories that are all over the place and have a great in-place infrastructure and a trained local workforce. I realize that you can get it at tax payer-financed bailout discount prices.
I completely understand and I know this is all a big pain for you.
But, see, when you have idle land converted to factories, new housing tracts being built and local businesses being made, people pray better. Positive stuff. Lots of Praise The Lord and Thank You Jesus.
We hate that whiny begging you get from dyin' towns pleading with Dad to make their crappy products that nobody wants to somehow sell better to people who damn Dad and say my name real hateful every time they use them.
What do they expect?
Even worse, they usually ask for Chinese or Japanese investors to save them. And Dad ain't real fond of those heathens, anyway.
You guys are our favorite Asians. Well, except for the Filipinos, but they don't get much done except have kids so they aren't much help in this situation, if ya know what I mean.
Anyway, back to the point. These guys are on Dad's Good List right now and they need a factory. You have to build it. Got it?
And don't give me any guff about it. I got a swarm of hungry locusts in storage right now just waiting for a good rice harvest. I don't want to use them but I will.
But if you guys hook me up, I'll owe you one when typhoon season rolls around this year. And I'll be sure to put in a good word to Dad about Dokdo. Maybe a big earthquake in Kobe next time they say it is theirs or something.
Cool? We go a Deal?"