Residents have until Dec. 18 to tour the Kia Motors’ auto assembly plant in West Point and test-drive a 2011 Sorento, the car that’s being made at the plant.

“After seeing all the construction work that’s been going on for a couple of years, now they get to actually see the product,” said Brendan Ayers, a sales and distribution agent for Kia.

The tours and test drives started Dec. 1 with four sessions each day starting at 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. People can register at kmmgusa.com.

Ann Riddle of Jacksonville, Fla., was visiting her parents in Atlanta and came down to the $1 billion plant.

“I liked it very much,” Riddle said after taking a spin in one of the dozen test Sorentos. ” I liked all the features like the Sirius radio and the CD player.”

The seven-passenger car, which goes on sale Jan. 4, also has three-row seating, a sun roof, voice-command navigation system, push-button start and other luxuries. Ayers said he just found out the sales price, but wasn’t free to divulge it.

“It’s beautiful,” said Lloyd Blackwood, who works at a Kia dealership in Duluth. “It’s smooth and comfortable. Everybody should have one.”

The 45-minute plant tours, available to people 16 and older, involve about a mile of walking. Kia staff said closed-toe shoes are required and no photos are allowed.

Guests must park near a large tent at Kia Parkway and Webb Road.

For more information, call (706) 902-7778 or click on the “About Plant” link on the company’s Web site.

Joel Martin can be reached at jmartin@ lagrangenews.com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 235.