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West Point, Georgia — Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in West Point has begun manufacturing face shields in response to the nationwide shortage of personal protective equipment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The masks will be donated in Georgia, Alabama, New York and California, according to a press release from Kia. The face shields are being assembled by paid volunteers from KMMG and there’s a monthly capacity of 200,000 units, according to the press release. Kia has implemented a series of safety measures to protect team members, including the following: conducting temperature scans, providing face masks and gloves, and staggering work stations. Materials are being sourced from vendors such as 3-Dimensional Services Group, a Michigan-based rapid response manufacturer supporting prototype and low volume production applications that has partnered with Kia to provide components used in the assembly of the face shields.

“Giving back in meaningful ways is a key component of Kia Motors’ ‘Give It Everything’ strategy in the U.S. Our Accelerate the Good program identifies areas where Kia can make the biggest impact, and we are proud to lend our manufacturing capabilities and talents to produce face shields that will protect America’s courageous healthcare workers,” said Sean Yoon, president and CEO, Kia Motors North America in a press release. “Kia is driven by an unstoppable spirit to take on and overcome challenges, and the world-class team members at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia have come together in support of those who are giving it everything on the frontlines of the pandemic.”

The press release said that face shield production is the latest expansion of Kia’s Accelerate the Good program following the company’s pledge to donate a total of $1 million to non-profit partners that assist homeless youth nationwide, including Covenant House, StandUp for Kids and Family Promise.

Kia’s donation will help provide much needed shelter and care to help fight the spread of COVID-19. Earlier, Kia donated N95 masks and gloves to medical facilities throughout Orange County, California, where the brand’s U.S. headquarters is located. The comprehensive Accelerate the Good program also includes various programs for new and existing customers facing uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as:

• New customers – a range of programs to help ease the financial burden, including up to 120-day payment deferrals and 0%, 75-month financing on many of Kia’s most popular models.
• Existing customers – a range of service care initiatives, including concierge vehicle collection and delivery services, and 0% APR financing available for 90 days on service and maintenance at many dealers. Additionally, the Kia Promise warranty coverage extension program eases concerns experienced by some owners who may not be able to bring their vehicles to a Kia dealership for repairs due to COVID-19 but have warranties that are expiring.
• Existing customers with Kia Motors Finance – for those experiencing payment difficulties due to COVID-19, options are available to defer payments or temporarily extend leases.