IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America (KMA) announced Byung Mo Ahn, president of Kia Motors Corporation, was named, as of February 5, 2008, to the newly created position of chairman and group CEO for KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), the automotive plant currently under construction in West Point, Ga.
Ahn will oversee Kia Motor operations in the United States including those of KMA and KMMG. Ahn was appointed to this position due to the importance of the United States market to the automotive industry and in terms of Kia's global operations. He will be based at KMA's corporate campus in Irvine, Calif.
Ahn brings to the organization more than 30 years experience with the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group. Known as a tenacious leader in 1995 Ahn received the prestigious "Chairman's Award" for management excellence. Ahn has held various positions within Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Company, including president and CEO of KMA from 1999 through 2001 when he guided the company through unprecedented growth and record sales of more than 40% during his tenure.
Ahn most recently held the position of president and CEO of KMMG in West Point, Georgia where he developed a relationship with the State of Georgia to help bring what will be the most sophisticated automotive assembly plant in the world online by the fall of 2009. The plant will create more that 2500 jobs in the community.
Ahn's diverse talents will lead KMA on its way toward achieving its goals in the United States and ensure the success of KMMG as a world-class producer of high-quality domestically produced vehicles.
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and fun-to-drive vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA."
Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site - http://www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit http://www.kiamedia.com.