Alabama is courting Irvine-based Kia Motors America Inc. in a bid to be home to the automaker’s first U.S. plant.
In August, Kia, part of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Co., detailed plans for a U.S. plant employing about 2,000 people.
At the time, Kia said Mississippi was its top choice but was considering other states. Fountain Valley-based Hyundai Motor America Inc., also part of Seoul-based Hyundai Motor, has a $1.1 billion plant in Montgomery, Ala.
Alabama officials are in constant contact with Kia “to make sure they understand that Alabama wants to play a role in its expansion plans,” Neal Wade, director of the Alabama Economic Development Office, told the Huntsville Times newspaper.
“Our first goal is that we get it in Alabama,” Wade said. “If it doesn’t come to Alabama, our second goal is that it is located in an adjacent state so that Kia can take advantage of all the suppliers in Central and South Alabama.”
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC, American Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. also have plants in Alabama.
Kia is undergoing a big expansion.
Earlier this year, the automaker said it planned to build a headquarters and design center in Irvine.
In October, the automaker replaced former U.S. chief Peter Butterfield with Len Hunt, who hailed from Volkswagen AG.
