Kia Motors scripts India game plan
South-Korean automaker Kia Motors has scripted its India game plan. It is bullish about its first product, a compact sportsutility vehicle (SUV) based on the SP Concept. It was showcased at the New Delhi Auto Expo 2018. The company will roll out its first car from its upcoming facility at Yerramanchi village in the Penugonda mandal of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh by mid2019. The plant covers an area of 23 million sqft and is expected to create about 3,000 jobs and produce 300,000 vehicles annually once it is fully operational. Construction of the facility began in mid-2017 with an investment of about $1.1 billion (around Rs 7,050 crore).
Han Woo Park, CEO and President, Kia Motors Corporation, said “Kia Motors has big plans for India and the company has already made significant investment in its plant in the country. I am happy to announce that the construction of the plant is a month ahead of schedule. We are making additional investments in India and Kia will spend a total of $2 billion in India by 2021. This investment will create more than 10,000 jobs. I believe Kia will bring amazing change and hope to the State of Andhra Pradesh and entire India. We are here to build more than just great cars. We aim to set a new standard of automotive lifestyle experience by providing Indian consumers with world-class products and service, and to engage deeply with the Indian people and give back to the community whenever possible.”
Though Kia is a late entrant to the Indian car market, it has set its goals clear with products that will be on its 3 pillar strategy; attractive design, high-tech features, and reliability. The company’s distinctive design identity, including its hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille, runs through the brand’s entire vehicle lineup, making the brand’s cars immediately recognisable. The SP Concept, which is designed for the Indian market is bold and stylish. The car combines sophisticated beauty, breakthrough technology, and high functionality in an SUV form.
Kia Motors India Managing Director and CEO Kookhyun Shim said,”Kia Motors is thrilled to enter