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KIA AUTOMOTIVE AUSTRALIA

Kia Test Ground / Page 1 / January 30, 2005

KIA OPENS $78 MILLION TEST TRACK IN THE USA

Kia has opened a $78 million, 1750 hectares test track in the USA to develop the next generation of Kia cars and commercial vehicles.

Built 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 developingdurable, 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.

“CaliforniaCity is honored to be the home of the Kia Motors California Proving Ground,” said Larry Adams, mayor of CaliforniaCity. “For the past two years, Kia has been a welcome neighbors, 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, which will start production in late 2006 and be capable of manufacturing 300,000 units.

Kia Motors California Proving Ground Fact Sheet

Specifications

/ Investment: $78 million
Size: 41750 hectares
Employees: 50
Location: California City, Calif. (162 km north of Los Angeles in the Mojave Desert)
Construction Began: February 2004
Construction Ended: October 2004
Architect: Stephen Wen & Associates

Special Features

/ The grounds include a 10.3 km oval track, 185,800 square metre Vehicle Dynamics Area (VDA), a 4.5 km winding track, a 5.3 km hill road and various special surfaces roads constructed to duplicate California highways.

Types of Testing

/ The Kia Motors Proving Ground is the primary North American location for testing advanced engineering design. Breaking, handling and durability of concept and future production vehicles will be some of the tests conducted at the Proving Ground.

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For further information:

Kia Automotive Australia Media Web Site:

Edward Butler
General Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0417 294 493
Fax: (02) 9701 3555
E-mail:
Edward Rowe
Public Relations Manager
Kia Automotive Australia
Ph: (02) 9701 8080
Mob: 0407 913 244
Fax: (02) 9701 8015
E-mail: