The Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia will now be used for the production of the 2011 Santa Fe, starting September 27. According to the recent announcement from the company, “limited production” of the 2011 Santa Fe will begin alongside Kia Sorento models already in production, and on October 1, a second shift will be added to support the additional volume.

Santa Fe production will move from Hyundai’s plant in Montgomery, Ala., offering the Sonata sedan additional room at its Alabama facility.  The Sorento crossover on the other hand stays right at its place. The move comes on heels of  Hyundai’s need to boost U.S. manufacturing capacity. The switch will facilitate the growth of total number of local workers from 1,900 to 7,000, including nearby suppliers.

Also the 2011 Sorento shares its platform with the Hyundai Santa Fe that has strongly fuelled the company’s decision. According to the industry figures, Santa Fe sales have risen 28 percent to 51,423 this year with that of Sorento tripled to 59,795.

“Building on the Sorento’s initial success, this new addition to the product line expands (the factory’s) volume and increases our commitment to the U.S. and local economy,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and the Georgia site.

The Hyundai-Kia group invested about $1 billion in the KMMG plant, and is currently the only plant in North America to be fitted with wood flooring. It is the first US-based plant belonging to group and is expected to have an annual output of 300,000 cars.

via autonews