Kia has opened a $78 million (USD), 1,750 hectare test track in the USA to develop the next generation of Kia cars and commercial vehicles.

Located in California, the Kia Proving Ground not only furthers the Kia's growing investment in the United States and the company's commitment to designing Kia products for North American consumers, it is also another demonstration of the companies commitment to developing durable, reliable cars that offer the latest technology.

"As Kia continues to make gains in the American market, the California Proving Ground will help to ensure that we will continue to be at the forefront of the auto industry by developing the highest quality vehicles," said Mr. Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO, Kia Motors.  "Kia Motors is strongly committed to the U.S., as part of our strong growth worldwide, and this extraordinary facility will help us design vehicles geared specifically towards the needs of our valued American car buyers."

The Kia Motors California Proving Ground site is located 160 km north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert (north of State Highway 58). Construction began in February 2004 and was largely completed by October 2004.

The grounds include a 10.3 km oval track, a 185,800 square metre Vehicle Dynamics Area (VDA), a 4.5 km winding track, a 5.3 km hill road and various special surface roads constructed to duplicate U.S. highways. The proving ground also includes a 3,000 square metre office complex for its 50 staff members.

"California City is honoured to be the home of the Kia Motors California Proving Ground," said Larry Adams, mayor of California City.  "For the past two years, Kia has been a welcome neighbours, and we look forward to working with them in the years to come."

The proving ground will be an additional asset in Kia's global plans, along with its new Slovakia plant. The new plant in Slovakia will begin production in late 2006. It will be capable of manufacturing 300,000 units per annum.