Kia has said it will indefinitely postpone the start of construction of its $1.2bn plant in Georgia, US, in the light of the on-going investigation into the activities of the company’s president, Chung Eui-sun, and his father, chairman of Hyundai Motor, Chung Mong-koo.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


Chung Mong-koo was indicted earlier this week and reports suggest that his son may also be indicted.


The company is expected, however, to go ahead and sign a final contract to go ahead with the plant later today.


A groundbreaking ceremony has been delayed and no decision has yet been made about when production could start, according to Reuters.


The postponement is also likely to delay the start of production, which was scheduled for 2009.


Chung Mong-koo remains in detention leaving a leadership vacuum. Chung Eui-sun has been questioned but has not been detained.


Hyundai Czech plant put on hold

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

Discover the Impact