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| Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy, center, signs to Kia Motors' Seltos during the inauguration ceremony of the company's plant in India, Thursday. Second from left is Kia Motors CEO Park Han-woo. Courtesy of Kia Motors |
By Nam Hyun-woo
Kia Motors began the operation of its first production facility in India, with a plan to produce up to 300,000 vehicles a year, including two new SUVs which will debut next year, the company said Thursday.
The automaker held a ceremony to mark the operation of the plant in Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, and revealed the production plan. The ceremony was attended by Kia Motors CEO Park Han-woo, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy and Korean Ambassador to India Shin Bong-kil.
The plant began partial operation in July this year, producing the Seltos compact SUV, which was launched in India in August. A total of 40,649 Seltos were sold as of November.
After its full operation, Kia Motors plans to produce a premium multi-purpose vehicle and a sub-compact SUV model and introduce them in the local market next year.
The plant's maximum output is 300,000 vehicles a year, and Kia said the facility can produce future electric and hybrid vehicles too.
"We are proud to open our new production facility in Anantapur today," Park said during the ceremony. "Now fully in operation, our new plant allows us to serve the growing Indian car market, and export models like the Seltos to markets across the world in major regions. In the longer-term, it will also become a vital part of our global production network."
