No Changes Expected in Kia’s U.S. Operations

Hyundai Motor Co.’s successful auction bid for bankrupt South Korean Kia Motors Corp. won’t result in significant changes to Kia’s U.S. operations, a top executive of the Irvine-based U.S. unit said.

“The U.S. consumer won’t see any changes,” said Dick Macedo, vice president of sales and marketing at Kia Motors America. Hyundai and Kia will probably maintain separate brands and dealerships in the U.S., though there has been “some discussion” that the companies might develop products together in three years, he said.

Hyundai, South Korea’s largest auto maker, won the auction for insolvent Kia on Sunday by offering the highest bid of four candidates, including U.S. auto maker Ford Motor Co. It was the third auction for Kia since it collapsed in July under $10 million in debt. The winning bid still must be accepted by Kia’s creditors.