. . . and Kia Expanding Despite Woes at Home

While on the subject of Korean car companies, the president of Irvine-based Kia Motors America recently told dealers that the company’s U.S. expansion is continuing as planned, despite Kia’s troubles at home. (It has been placed under control of the country’s national bank because of mounting debt.)

In fact, President W.K. Kim told dealers at the recent National Automobile Dealers Assn. convention in New Orleans, Kia might just outsell rival Hyundai Motor America in the U.S. this year.

John O’Dell covers major Orange County corporations and manufacturing for The Times. He can be reached at (714) 966-5831 and at john.odell@latimes.com