Kia Motors Corporation, the second-largest automaker in South Korea, said on Monday that it will invest $1.2 billion into building its first U.S. factory.
The carmaker expects the new plant, which will be located in West Point, Ga., will begin production in 2009. Kia wants the plant to produce up to 300,000 vehicles a year and employ about 2,500 workers.
Hyundai Motor Co., an affiliate of Kia and South Korea's No. 1 car maker, opened its first U.S. plant in Alabama last year.