Kia Names U.S. Executive as Vice Chairman

Kia Motors Corp. has promoted the CEO of its American operations to become one of two vice chairmen of the South Korean company.

Ahn Byung-mo became CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia in 2008. He will continue to hold those jobs.

Ahn joins Lee Hyoung-keun, CEO of Kia Motors Inc., who also serves as vice chairman. Ahn will continue to report to Chung Mong-koo, the chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Kia and Hyundai Motor Co. Kia says Ahn's promotion does not include a seat on Kia's board of directors.

Ahn is credited with bringing management stability and strong growth in the U.S. Sales there have doubled to 535,200 units during his tenure. Volume slipped 4% last year, but the company aims to hike sales more than 9% to 585,000 units in 2014.