Kia begins production at new $1 billion manufacturing plant at West Point, Georgia

WEST POINT, Ga. — In the midst of one of the most severe economic downturns since the Great Depression, the economies of this small town on Interstate 85 and surrounding communities near the Alabama state line about 60 miles southwest of Atlanta are booming.

That’s because nearly five years ago the Hyundai-Kia Group of South Korea decided to build a Kia manufacturing plant here.

The plant officially began production on Oct. 23 when the first 2011 Kia Sorento rolled off the line.

It is Kia’s first U.S. manufacturing plant, built at a cost of about $1 billion. The plant now employs 1,200 workers, which will rise to 2,500 as production increases. Another 7,500 workers are employed or will be employed by Kia suppliers, most of which are in a nine-county area around the plant.

Georgia Tech University has estimated that by 2012 as many as 20,000 jobs could be created.

Kia officials here this week said there were 43,000 applications within 30 days for the 1,200 initial jobs. Salaries for the non-union production jobs start from between $14 and $20 an hour. Salaries range up to about $27 an hour on the mechanical side.

The state of Georgia executed the Site Acquisition and Development Agreement in March 2006 for the construction on 2,259 acres along I-85. Kia officials said the close proximity of Birmingham, Ala., and the recently opened Hyundai plant there, played a big part in deciding on location. There will be some shared suppliers with the Birmingham plant, and Hyundai builds some engines in Birmingham that will be used in the Kia products.

At full capacity the West Point plant can manufacture 300,000 vehicles a year.

Ford C-MAX; Coming to America!

Source – Ford MyCarData

For all of you who commented last week on the article, “First Look at the All-new Ford C-MAX,” here’s the announcement you’ve been waiting for: The Ford C-Max is coming to North America!

The all-new 7-seat Ford C-MAX debuted today at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, and it will arrive in North America beginning late 2011. The new C-MAX brings kinetic design language to the compact segment, combining bold styling and versatile, spacious 7-seat layout.

The C-MAX is the first of a new generation of global C-segment cars scheduled for introduction by Ford over the next several years. This series of new models will include the all-new, next-generation Ford Focus sedan and five-door hatchback models, scheduled to launch late in calendar year 2010 in the United States.

According to Ford analysts, small cars in the B- and C-segments accounted for less than 15 percent of the U.S. market in 2004. In year-to-date sales through August 2009 however, the small car segment has reached nearly 22 percent of total industry sales, and further gains are expected.

Ford’s new C-vehicle family is the result of an unprecedented global development program that will deliver for customers an array of available advanced technologies aimed at enhancing their convenience, comfort, safety and overall driving experience.

“Consumers are seeking uncompromised vehicles offering value for the money, and C-MAX squarely hits those targets,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Ford Global Product Development. “The Focus C-MAX will be great to look at, great to sit in and great to drive, bringing Ford DNA to a new market segment in the form of an aspirational, fuel-efficient people carrier.”

Exterior design elevates segment

The new Ford Focus C-MAX demonstrates that compact, 7-seat vehicles can be stylish and desirable while still delivering outstanding space and functionality.

Bold exterior and interior designs have been created using the latest evolution of Ford’s kinetic design form language, building on the themes established in recent product introductions like the hugely successful European-developed Fiesta, Kuga and Mondeo ranges.

Kinetic design elements applied to the new C-MAX include the dynamic, rising beltline, full sculpted surfaces, bold wheel lips, strong athletic shoulders supported by a prominent undercut line and the distinctive kick-up of the window graphic at the C-pillar.

Offering seating for up to seven, the C-MAX destined for North America features a high roofline and thin pillars to emphasize the generous room and visibility in the cabin. Twin sliding doors are neatly integrated, with the rail concealed by the undercut line on the shoulder of the vehicle.

Stylish, modern interior

The new C-MAX interior mirrors the dynamic and modern character of the exterior, complete with muscular, expressive shapes and bold graphics.

Key design features include the taut, wing-like form of the upper instrument panel, which reaches out to the sides of the interior. A dramatic sweeping form connects the instrument panel with the center console.

The cockpit provides a commanding, raised driving position with high-mounted shifter and center console inspired by the acclaimed layout in the new Fiesta. Carefully designed storage areas are located throughout the cabin, including generous door pockets, a large glove box and additional compartments and cup holders in the center console.

Ingenious 7-seat layout

To maximize the versatility of the 7-seat layout, Ford engineers developed a new seat-folding mechanism for the three second-row seats. This mechanism allows the center seat to fold quickly and easily under one of the two outboard seats, creating a handy walk-through space between them.

This walk-through space allows passengers to access the third row without having to disturb the two outer seats, which is particularly helpful when those positions are occupied by child safety seats. Owners have the option of using the convenient 2+2+2 seating layout or switching to a full 7-seater when required.

The second- and third-row seats also have been cleverly engineered so they can be folded to create a flat load floor, regardless of how many seats remain in use. All of the folding mechanisms are designed so they operate with just one hand.

Ford EcoBoostTM advanced powertrains

In many markets, the new C-car family will be offered with versions of Ford’s new EcoBoostTM engines. EcoBoost combines direct petrol injection, turbocharging and dual variable valve timing to maximize efficiency, resulting in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions reduced by up to 20 percent compared with conventional gasoline engines with a similar power output.

The initial Ford EcoBoost four-cylinder lineup will comprise 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter engines. The engines will be available globally, with versions launching in Europe and North America in 2010, and the first rear-wheel-drive application in the Ford Falcon in Australia in 2011. By 2013, nearly 80 percent of Ford global nameplates will have an available EcoBoost option.

Boulder’s Fisher dealership transitions from Chevrolet to Kia

By Alicia Wallace Camera Business Writer

After more than 40 years as a Chevrolet dealer, the family-run Fisher auto dealership in Boulder is transitioning from the iconic American brand to Kia, a decision triggered by General Motors’ bankruptcy earlier this year.

“We think it’ll be a good deal,” said Craig Fisher, owner of Fisher Auto Inc., which runs Fisher Honda and, now, Fisher Kia.

Fisher said he received the “emotional and disappointing” news in June from the beleaguered GM that its Chevrolet business was one of thousands to be cut nationwide. The local operation wasn’t given a reason why or given a chance to appeal, he added.

“We decided we’ve got to move on,” he said.

GM did not disclose which dealers were cut and left it to them whether to make that information public.

Fisher’s officials spent the summer looking at various brands and settled on Kia Motors because its vehicles appear to be going more upscale and also offer “a lot of car for the money,” he said.

Fisher said he is optimistic about the transition, noting that his dealership has a wide coverage area and that traffic at his dealership has improved during the summer — thanks in part to 110 “Cash for Clunkers” deals.

“Since October of ’08 through April of ’09, it was a difficult business climate, but it seemed like when May came along, the business has picked up considerably.”

On Thursday, the transition was complete — it was Fisher’s final day as a Chevrolet dealer and first as a Kia dealer. Fisher said he expects to have the Kia vehicles on the lot off 60th and Arapahoe as soon as next week.

Fisher was not the only Boulder County auto dealer affected by GM’s decision to thin out its ranks for its financial health.

Longmont’s Hajek Chevrolet received word in May that its dealership was on the chopping block. Manager Brett Hajek said his family continues to talk with GM about reversing the decision and has received some positive comments from the manufacturer.

“We’re plugging along business as normal and business has actually been good for us,” he said.

Officials for Longmont-based King Auto Group, the other local dealership to reportedly receive a letter from GM, could not be reached for comment.

Other local dealerships appear to have been spared from the cuts. Broomfield-based Century Chevrolet did not receive a letter from GM, officials said. Mark McCaddon, owner of Boulder’s McCaddon Cadillac Buick Pontiac GMC, has told the Camera that he also did not receive notification from GM.

Clunker Database

Is your car officially a clunker? Search the database

Congress is poised to pass the so-called “Cash for Clunkers” program that would offer vouchers of $3,500 or $4,500 for consumers who turn in gas-guzzling vehicles for new, more fuel-efficient models. Passage is still not certain, however.

Eligble for trade-in: Cars and light trucks rated a combined (a blend of city and highway driving) 18 mpg or less; large pickups/SUVs at 15 mpg or less; work trucks built before 2002.

To find the mileage of your car or truck, first pick a ‘year’ from the drop-down list. Then choose the manufacturer and make. On the results page, you’re likely to find several variations of a particular model. You can use the other fields — transmission type, cylinders — to find the right vehicle. The mileage listed uses a new standard and will be lower than what was listed when the vehicle was made. The standards changed in 2008 to reflect more city driving and harsher driving conditions.

If you want more information, click on ‘details’ to learn whether the vehicle was hit by the ‘gas guzzler’ tax by the government or whether it has a turbo or supercharger. Note: Information about cars and trucks built between 1985 and 1997 is less complete in terms of engine descriptions.

If your car was built before 1985, you can get the mileage from www.fueleconomy.gov.

Database source: Detroit News “Is your car officially a clunker? Search the database”