Kia Motors India commences trial production

More than a month ahead of schedule, Kia Motors India has begun trial production at its Anantpur plant in Andhra Pradesh. The trial production ceremony was presided over by the honorable chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Nara Chandrababu Naidu in the presence of Kookhyun Shim, MD and CEO Kia Motors India,  Han Woo Park, president and CEO, Kia Motors Corporation.

Spread over an area of 536 acres and with a production capacity of 300,000 vehicles, the plant in Anantpur signals Kia motors’ commitment to the Indian market. It is interesting to note that Hyundai, India’s second largest car manufacturer, has an annual capacity of nearly 7,00,000 units a year. The plant will create 4,000 direct jobs and over 7000 indirect jobs to people in the region.

Kia Motors India has previously stated that mass production is expected to start in July 2019 and with Kia Motors India well ahead of schedule, it is expected that it will be able to deliver on that promise.

Sharing the dais with the dignitaries present was the SP Concept, first displayed at Auto Expo 2018. Kia has confirmed that its first product in India will be the production version of the SP Concept, codenamed SP2i, and will be based on sister brand Hyundai’s popular Creta. Kia Motors is expected to focus on SUVs in its initial few years in India. Kia Motors is been known worldwide for the great design of its products and will seek to differentiate its products from that of Hyundai with their unique approach to design.