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Since beginning production on Nov. 16, 2009, Kia Georgia has assembled more than 4.5 million vehicles and helped create more than 14,000 jobs in the region.

Saturday was a historic day for Kia Georgia as the plant commemorated 15 years of production since becoming Kia’s first North American manufacturing facility. To date, Kia Georgia has helped create more than 14,000 local jobs and produced more than 4.5 million vehicles.

Following a March 13, 2006 announcement and an Oct. 20, 2006 groundbreaking ceremony, Kia Georgia began production of its first vehicle, a Kia Sorento, on Nov. 16, 2009. The 2,200-acre site has a capacity of 350,000 vehicles per year and is nearing completion of a $217 million expansion which allows for production of EVs alongside the plant’s traditional products. Currently, Kia Georgia produces the all-electric EV9 SUV and the Telluride, Sorento and Sportage SUVs.

Kia Georgia President and CEO Stuart Countess congratulated team members on this milestone and noted that despite tremendous success during the first 15 years of production, the plant’s best days are still ahead of it.

“From day one, the Kia Georgia team has been focused on world class quality for our customers while building a culture that is focused on a ‘one system, one team’ philosophy,” he said. “None of this success would be possible without Kia Georgia’s team members and their commitment to making Kia Georgia the best and most innovative automotive company in the world. Additionally, our local partners in West Point and Troup County and our statewide partnerships anchored by Governor Brian P. Kemp and his predecessors have been invaluable to our company’s ability to continue to grow and evolve despite the changing landscape of the automotive industry during the past few years. I thank and congratulate everyone who has had a hand in this milestone. The future is certainly bright for Kia Georgia.”