ATLANTA, April 19, 2012 - Today, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal named Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) as the state of Georgia's large manufacturer of the year at the annual Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week awards luncheon. The award was presented to Mr. Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and KMMG, Inc., on behalf of the plant's more than 3,000 team members.

Ahn thanked Deal for the prestigious award and noted the importance of the state of Georgia's role in Kia's success during his speech to the 1,200 attendees at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta.

"I want to thank you, Governor Deal, and also Quick Start and the Technical College System of Georgia for this great honor," said Ahn. "We would not be in this position for achievement without the unyielding support of the State of Georgia, the Department of Economic Development, and in particular, Georgia Quick Start, which has been our partner in workforce training from the very beginning."

Ahn also credited the outstanding team members who "work enthusiastically each and every day to build world-class, high quality vehicles."

"We have developed the 'Kia Way' to define the workplace culture and establish a 'one system/one team' approach at our facility," said Ahn. "The Kia Way is built on trust, mutual respect and open communication among all team members to ensure continuous improvement, and in our view, is a key element of the market success of Kia and KMMG."

Deal congratulated KMMG for being the 2012 large manufacturer of the year and said the state looks forward to many more years working together as successful partners.

"Kia's West Point, Ga., plant is a shining example of Georgia's commitment to supporting new industries in our state and how that continued commitment allows companies like Kia to prosper and grow," Deal said after the award presentation. "Kia has continued to invest in our state and has delivered a tremendously positive impact in this region. I am so proud to be presenting this outstanding company with the large manufacturer of the year award today."

Deal was joined by Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey and Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Ron Jackson at the luncheon, which marks the culmination of Manufacturing Appreciation Week. The event was co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

About Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia
Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, Korea. KMMG is located on 2,200 acres in West Point, Georgia, and began mass production on Nov. 16, 2009. KMMG is home to the 2012 Sorento CUV and the 2012 Optima mid-size sedan, two of the brand's top selling models in 2011. Beginning in 2012, the plant has the ability to build 360,000 vehicles annually from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.