2007 Kia Rondo Lx Wagon 4-door 2.7l on 2040-cars

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Kia calls reports of second US plant 'groundless'

In discussing how Kia planned to use a focus on quality to raise its brand perception and take the fight to BMW and Audi instead of Toyota, a recent article in Automotive News Europe said one of the primary constraints was production capacity; Kia simply doesn't have the ability to make enough cars to meet its aims with the plants it has.
The CEO of Hyundai-Kia is said to be reluctant to build more plants because of that focus on quality and the fact that its suppliers are stretched to the limit. The effects of that position are being felt right now with both makers losing market share, as in the case of Hyundai not being able to make enough of its Veloster Turbo for the US market.
A South Korean newspaper apparently reported last week that Kia was planning to build a second factory in Georgia with capacity for up to 150,000 units annually, and that the company would break ground as soon as this month on "KMMG2." Kia has responded to the news by saying, "The report is all groundless." The mayor of West Point, site of the current KMMG plant, said he didn't know anything about such plans, nor did the Georgia department of economic development have knowledge of a new Kia factory.

Hyundai spooks investors by paying $10B for new Gangnam HQ location

Doing things Gangnam style apparently costs a serious chunk of change, because Hyundai is reportedly paying roughly $10 billion for 19.6 acres (79,342 square meters) of land in the trendy district of Seoul, South Korea, to serve as the location for its new headquarters. That eye-popping number represents the highest amount ever paid for a plot of land in South Korea, according to Reuters. The hefty price tag reportedly scared investors enough for stock prices to sink dramatically.
Shareholders were apparently upset because the massive outlay could instead have been put back into the company for research and development or other improvements. Instead, the company reportedly bid triple the land's appraised value, says Reuters. The announcement caused Hyundai's stock price to plummet a massive 9 percent, and there were losses from Kia and the company's parts arm, as well. All told, the three of them lost nearly $8 billion in value from the falling share prices - almost enough to pay for the controversial land.
Hyundai currently has its headquarters on the outskirts of Seoul, but seems keen to move to the high-end Gangnam district to show off its rising status. It plans to build a new office complex, hotel, convention center and theme park on the site. According to an analyst speaking to Reuters, that could all cost an additional $6 billion to complete.

Kia teases e-AWD Soul concept for Chicago

Kia let slip just a few days ago that it is preparing an outdoorsy concept based on one of its most popular models for the 2015 Chicago Auto Show. After a brief wait, we are getting our first look at an unnamed e-AWD concept – or at least the front third of it. By all accounts, it looks to be rough and tumble version of its popular Soul compact. Beyond some tougher looks, the concept will get some extra oomph from an electric all-wheel drive system. Plus, to fit its inspiration of letting city dwellers go on off-road adventures, the styling wears a few tweaks from Kia's California design studio. The teaser shows off black body cladding around the lower air dam and wheel wells. The headlights also appear blacked-out with white trim around them for contrast, and the orange highlights in the wheels provide some visual pop. We're curious to see if Kia will do anything else for this Soul concept's design and how much power the electric all-wheel drive system adds. With the way the teaser image is tightly cropped, it could be a different bodystyle altogether, from a convertible to a pickup. All will be revealed when the concept is unveiled on Thursday, February 12, at the show. For the moment, we're just happy it appears that Kia is finally formally entertaining the idea of an AWD Soul. Kia Motors America will unveil an advanced and capable electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD) concept vehicle at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. This bold off-roader was conceived by Kia's California design studio and built for city dwellers seeking the ultimate urban escape. Intended to enable a wide array of outdoor activities from skiing and snowboarding, to camping, hiking and mountain biking, this rugged runabout captures the essence of adventuring at higher elevations with the promise of surefootedness in the wild. Kia's newest concept will be revealed on the Kia stand Thursday, February 12 at 9 AM. See you there. News Source: Kia Design/Style Green Kia Crossover Hatchback Concept Cars Hybrid