Telluride

Make
Kia
Segment
SUV

When the coronavirus hit, many countries found themselves unprepared for the vast amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) needed for medical professionals. To help fill the shortages, automakers from around the world have begun to manufacture PPE at their factories - Lamborghini is making masks and face shields, while Ford is making respirators, masks, and ventilators, just to name a few.

As part of its efforts to combat coronavirus, Kia has created a program called Accelerate the Good. The program began by extending vehicle warranties that were set to expire and now includes the assembly of PPE at its factory in West Point, Georgia where the Kia Telluride, Kia Sorento, and Kia Optima are built.

Kia has abided by CDC guidelines to convert part of its US plant to a specialty production area that is capable of making up to 200,000 face shields per month to help fight Covid-19. Deliveries are set to begin this week in the area surrounding the plant, followed by deliveries to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and medical facilities in Southern California and New York. The production of these face masks is part of the Korean automaker's pledge to donate a total of $1 million to non-profit partners including Covenant House, StandUp for Kids and Family Promise, all of which assist homeless youth around the US.

"Giving back in meaningful ways is a key component of Kia Motors' 'Give It Everything' strategy in the US. Our Accelerate the Good program identifies areas where Kia can make the biggest impact and we are proud to lend our manufacturing capabilities and talents to produce face shields that will protect America's courageous healthcare workers," said Sean Yoon, president and CEO of Kia Motors North America. "Kia is driven by an unstoppable spirit to take on and overcome challenges, and the world-class team members at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia have come together in support of those who are giving it everything on the frontlines of the pandemic."