Automaker Kia and the Port of Brunswick celebrated the first of its new Telluride vehicles preparing for export at the Port. The automaker’s newest SUV’s were loaded onto the Port’s RoRo vessel, Sirius, with a final destination for ports in the Arabian peninsula region.
“The company’s decision to build the Telluride here in Georgia is a testament to the caliber of hardworking men and women at the company’s West Point, Georgia, plant,” Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said. “Having created more than 14,000 jobs for Georgians, Kia is an outstanding corporate citizen, and we commend them for their commitment to innovation, quality, and growth.”
“Through continuous investment and expansion of infrastructure at the 1,700-acre facility, Brunswick is prepared to take on new business from Kia and other manufacturers,” said Georgia Ports Authority Chief Administrative Officer Jamie McCurry. “As the single largest and second busiest U.S. hub for automotive trade, the Port of Brunswick moved more than 600,000 units last year.”
According to information released from the automaker and Port, Kia anticipates exporting an estimated 3,000 Tellurides per year. The Telluride stands as the most technically advanced and largest vehicle for Kia.
“For 10 years, we have been proud to support the thousands of jobs Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia provides in West Point, through efficient, reliable port services via Savannah,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch. “Today marks an important development, as KMMG branches out from the domestic market in a major way to export vehicles made in America.”