KMMG and Kia Autosport Hosting Encore Big Tent Event
Posted on August 13th, 2009 by Patrick Sands
WEST POINT, Ga. (August 13, 2009) — Due to the tremendous turnout this past weekend, Kia Autosport of Columbus, Ga. will be bringing over 100 vehicles to Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) in West Point this Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. both days. The Big Tent Event will be held in the parking lot in front of the plant located on Kia Parkway.
The event is a combined effort of Kia Autosport, KMMG and Kia Motors America (KMA) and will include on-site sales representatives, ride and drives, food and a live remote by 100.9 FM WCJM The Bull of West Point. Attendees also will be able to register to win a 2010 Kia Soul, the head-turning new urban passenger vehicle introduced to the Kia line-up in March.
“If you didn’t get a chance to come see us last weekend or if you’d like a second look at our outstanding lineup, we hope that you will come see us this weekend,” said Randy Jackson, KMMG’s Director of Human Resources and Administration. “We invite the entire community to come check out Kia Motor’s impressive vehicles and enjoy a day of food and fun while getting to know Kia as a new neighbor. With the current rebates in addition to the “Cash for Clunkers” program, there has never been a better time to buy a Kia.”
KMA has announced that consumers will be able to choose from 12 Kia models (85 percent of full lineup) that qualify for up to a $4,500 rebate by the U.S. government under the recently signed Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). Under this new buyer incentive program commonly called “Cash for Clunkers,” consumers can purchase a new, more fuel efficient Kia vehicle when they trade-in a less fuel efficient car or truck of any eligible make or model.
“We were so pleased with the turnout last weekend, we thought we should bring the dealership back to the community a second time,” said Ed Braun, General Manager of Kia Autosport of Columbus. “Kia Autosport is pleased to be able to return to Troup County again this weekend to offer a look at our wide variety of vehicles that are praised for their style, quality, value, fuel efficiency and a long list of standard safety features.”
The Leadership Troup Class of 2009 will also be on site to collect non-perishable food items. Donations will go toward LaGrange Personal Aid’s Interfaith Food Closet and will help feed local residents in need. Suggested items include canned goods, dehydrated milk, boxed food items, dried beans, cereal, baby formula, baby food and rice.
“We want to be good neighbors and a responsible corporate citizen,” said Jackson. “We will have hired about 1,200 team members by the end of this month, but we realize that times are tough and there is still a lot of need in the community. Collecting canned goods for LaGrange Personal Aid is just one more way we can help by giving back.”
About CARS:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) guidelines indicate that consumers may earn $4,500 with the purchase of a new car with an increase of 10-plus miles per gallon (mpg) or may earn $3,500 with an increase of four-plus mpg when they trade in a car or SUV with less than 18 mpg combined. For SUVs, five-plus mpg may earn $4,500 and two-plus mpg may earn $3,500. New passenger cars purchased under the program must get a minimum combined fuel economy of 22 mpg while new light-duty trucks or SUVs must get at least 18 mpg combined fuel economy to qualify.
In accordance with the NHTSA, retailers that are enrolled in the program will process transactions using program guidelines and apply appropriate credits at the time of purchase.
The following details the official government criteria for trade-in rebates: Trade-in vehicles have been manufactured less than 25 years before the date of trade-in; trade-in vehicles must have a federal combined city/highway fuel economy of 18 mpg or less; eligible vehicles must be in driveable condition and have been continuously insured and registered to the same owner for at least one year; vouchers are not necessary, dealers will apply a credit at the time of the purchase.
Additional information is currently being developed by the National Highway Transportation Authority and will be available on its Web site as it becomes available. For more information visit www.cars.gov, the official and only Web site for the program.
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 is scheduled to begin production in the last quarter of 2009. At full capacity, the plant will have the ability to produce 300,000 vehicles annually and employ approximately 2,500 team members.
