Kia Motors Slovakia Produced 177,900 Cars in First Half of 2016

Zilina, July 28 (TASR) – Kia Motors Slovakia manufactured 177,900 vehicles in the first half of 2016, which represents a 4.7-percent hike year-on-year compared to the first half of 2015, Kia Motors Slovakia spokesman Jozef Bace told TASR on Thursday.

The engine production rose by 11 percent and by the end of June 2016 reached more than 318,000 pieces, said Bace.

“I’m very pleased that the production at Kia Motors Slovakia continues to grow. Cars manufactured in our plant with their quality, design and safety meet the demanding requirements of today’s marketplace,” said Kia Motors Slovakia President and CEO Eek-Hee Lee.

“We certainly owe our success to the new generation of the Sportage model that – apart from prestigious design awards – is gaining great popularity among customers,” he added, praising the work of his employees.

The fourth generation of Sportage is currently the most manufactured vehicle in the Kia Motors Slovakia plant, as it represents 64 percent of the total volume of vehicles produced there.
Kia cars produced in Slovakia covered 59 percent of all sales of Kia models in Europe in the first half of 2016, said Bace.

“The most important markets for the only Kia plant in Europe were the United Kingdom (15 percent), Germany (9 percent), Spain (8 percent), Italy (8 percent) and Russia (7 percent),” he added.

Kia Motors Slovakia is the first production plant of Kia Motors Corporation in Europe. It was built between 2004-2006 and the production of vehicles and engines was launched in December 2006.

The plant currently employs around 3,800 people in Slovakia, not to mention its myriad suppliers and sub-suppliers.