Kia to Put Design Studio at New Irvine Complex

Kia Motors America said it would build a design studio at its new $70-million headquarters complex in Irvine as part of an effort to separate itself from parent Hyundai Motor America.

The South Korean automakers now share an Irvine studio, which will continue to be used by Hyundai designers after Kia’s $17-million, 65,000-square-foot design facility is completed early in 2007. Kia broke ground Friday on its new headquarters site.

-- John O’Dell