The Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center in Superior Township is analyzing the performance of Kia's new motorsports vehicles as the automaker joins the U.S. auto racing circuit, according to Automotive News.

Kia, which entered U.S. motorsports competitions in 2010, sends vehicle performance data "for analysis" to its 170-person Washtenaw County testing and calibration facility, the Automotive News reported.

Michael Sprague, Kia's U.S. marketing leader, told the trade journal that Kia's Ann Arbor area engineers are involved because the "enthusiasts there can help the people back in Korea interpret and understand so that eventually we can incorporate some of the learning into product."

The 200,000-square-foot Hyundai-Kia tech center, which has gradually been getting more responsibility for product development, recently announced plans for a $15 million expansion with 50 new jobs.

Read the full Automotive News story here.

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