Kia Motors America has signed golfer Michelle Wie as a spokeswoman and will sponsor a Ladies Professional Golf tournament in San Diego next month.
It is the latest in a series of sports-related promotions for the Korean automaker, which opened a $1 billion manufacturing plant in West Point, Ga. last year. Kia made its U.S. racing debut Jan. 29 at Daytona International Speedway, partnering with an Atlanta company, Kinetic Group, to enter two cars in the Fresh From Florida 200.
Kia also had a 60-second ad in Sunday’s Super Bowl for the Sorento SUV, made in West Point.
Ms. Wie, currently ranked the ninth best female golfer in the world, was born in Hawaii. Her parents are from South Korea.
Kia will sponsor an LPGA tournament, the Kia Classic, March 25-28 at La Costa Resort north of San Diego. Ms. Wie is scheduled to compete in the tournament.