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Kia Motors Produces 3 Millionth Vehicle in U.S.

Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. (KMMG) reached another milestone recently when the plant’s 3 millionth vehicle—a white 2020 Telluride SX Prestige—rolled off the assembly line in West Point, Georgia. 

Representing an investment of more than $1.1 billion, KMMG began mass production on Nov. 16, 2009, and today produces more than 40% of all Kia vehicles sold in the United States.

“Producing 3 million vehicles in less than 10 years is another example of the commitment and results of the KMMG Team’s ‘One System, One Team’ philosophy,” said KMMG President and CEO Jangsoo (Jason) Shin. “The world-class quality that goes into every Telluride, Sorento and Optima we build is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our team members, and today we salute their commitment to excellence.”

KMMG, which will celebrate its 10th year of production later this year, has consistently been recognized for the outstanding quality, reliability and performance of its Kia products in evaluations and reports by J.D. Power & Associates, Consumer Reports, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a variety of media outlets.

“KMMG is an outstanding example of hardworking Georgians performing at world-class levels,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. “The company’s continued investment here is yet another result of our pro-business atmosphere, and I am proud to see KMMG’s relationship with the state of Georgia continue to strengthen. I want to congratulate Kia’s team members on the latest of many accomplishments.”

Ram 1500 First Full-Size Pickup to Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+

The Ram 1500 Crew Cab full-size pickup has been named a Top Safety Pick+ for 2019, the highest rating given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The rating applies to 2020 Ram 1500 pickups and 2019 trucks produced after May of 2019, when equipped with adaptive LED projector headlamps that have high-beam assist and Ram’s Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) technology, Forward Collision Mitigation.

The Ram 1500’s safety story begins with innovations such as its patented approach to frame-rail construction. The truck’s front frame-rails are splayed to better manage crash energy in certain types of frontal collisions.

Of the six crashworthiness evaluations conducted by the IIHS, three simulate frontal impacts. And the Ram 1500 recorded “good” results in each, the highest possible rating.

Outcomes were the same in the three remaining crashworthiness tests, which inflict damage consistent with a side impact, rear impact and a rollover.

Also unique to the Ram 1500 is its use of an Integrated Radar Camera Module (IRCM) to accommodate Forward Collision Mitigation. The IRCM consolidates radar and camera components behind the vehicle’s rearview mirror, which not only simplifies their interface, but keeps important technology out of harm’s way in the event of minor collisions.

Meanwhile, Forward Collision Mitigation in the Ram 1500 earned a “superior” rating from IIHS. The optional feature boasts sensor-fusion technology, which blends camera capability with radar detection to determine when an impact is imminent.

The system initially warns the driver to take action to avoid a collision. If the driver does not act in a timely manner, the system may activate the vehicle’s brakes if collision risk remains.

The Top Safety Pick+ rating is also enabled by adaptive LED projector headlamps that have high-beam assist. The technology was refined in May of this year, earning the highest IIHS rating of “good.”

A “good” rating in headlamp testing is the latest IIHS requirement to earn Top Safety Pick+.

The 2019 Top Safety Pick+ rating is the culmination of many months in the spotlight for the Ram 1500—from Motor Trend Truck of the Year to a place among Wards 10 Best Engines with its standard-equipment 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 with eTorque.

Rendered Rides 57/57 is in the Works

Chad Canning at Rendered Rides is at it again! He’s been on a ’57 Chevy kick lately and has been dreaming up different variations of a ’57 Chevy truck with ’57 Bel Air rear sheetmetal.

Minor and major revisions along the way have resulted in some really awesome and unique looks, making us wonder what an in-the-flesh version would look like. As it turns out, we may not have to wait too long to find out. Resto Rat Customs has decided to tackle a build using Chad’s ideas as a base. The final build should look very close to the white version, which we happen to think is the best looking of the bunch. Be sure to follow Rendered Rides (@renderedrides on IG) and Resto Rat Customs (@restoratcustoms on IG) for more info.