After entering U.S. production more than seven years ago, the Kia Sorento has reached an important milestone. The one-millionth Sorento rolled off the assembly line at Kia's plant in West Point, Ga., on Monday.
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Not only was the Sorento the first vehicle to come out of the Georgia plant, but it was also the first Kia vehicle ever to be assembled in the U.S. Back in November 2009, Kia rolled out a white 2011 Sorento as its very first model at the plant, and following in the same theme, Kia painted its millionth Sorento a snow white pearl color. The special 2018 Kia Sorento SXL will be on display at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in the coming weeks.
Today, the plant is able to produce 360,000 units annually, and over the years, Kia has built almost 2.4 million vehicles in Georgia. Along with the Sorento, the 2,200-acre facility has also been home to production of the Kia Optima since 2011. A total of 15,000 jobs have been created in West Point and its surrounding communities thanks to the plant and its associated suppliers.
During the month of April, the Sorento was the third best-selling Kia product in the U.S, beating out the popular Soul but slotting behind the Optima and Forte. So far this year, Kia has sold 30,092 copies of its midsize crossover.
Source: Kia
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When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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