Kia's executives and employees pose during a ceremony to celebrate the mass production of the Syros SUV at its plant in Andhra Pradesh, India, Thursday (local time). Courtesy of Kia

Kia said Friday that it started mass production of the Syros compact SUV in India. With over 10,000 preorders already secured, the automaker announced that sales will officially begin in India on Feb. 1, and the vehicle will soon reach other global markets, including Central and South Americas and the Middle East.

According to Kia, it held a ceremony to commence Syros' assembly at its plant in the state of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday (local time). Kia CEO Song Ho-sung and 200 other top executives of the company attended the ceremony.

The Syros was launched globally in India in December and tailored to target the domestic market. Kia said the name Syros was derived from an island in the Cyclades of Greece, reflecting the island's blend of tradition and Western culture.

Developed as an urban SUV, the Syros is based on an angular, boxy design that can also be observed in the Kia Soul or the Hyundai Casper.

The Kia Syros / Courtesy of Kia

Kia said the Syros features a smart connectivity system and a slew of comfort features, such as sliding and reclining rear seats, ventilated seats, advanced driver-assistance systems and a dual panoramic sunroof, all together providing a top-tier driving experience within its class.

The powertrain comes in 1-liter gasoline and 1.5-liter diesel engines, given that India still has room for vehicles with internal combustion engines. The five-seater SUV will be produced exclusively in India. Kia plans to export the Syros to developing countries where demand for affordable and compact vehicles remains strong.

According to Kia, it has already received 10,258 preorders for the Syros, signaling significant market potential for its success in the Indian market.

The Syros' price range will be available when its sale officially begins on Feb. 1. Starting from the Indian market, the vehicle will also reach customers in the Asia-Pacific, Central and South Americas and the Middle East.

"We're delighted with the interest our customers in India have already shown in the new Kia Syros SUV," Song said. "This is a positive sign ahead of the Syros's market introduction in India and a testament to Kia's customer-centric focus, delivering vehicles that provide value to our customers through the innovative features and services on offer."