Ziga: Slovak Government Ready to Support Kia's Investment in 4.0 Industry

Ziga: Slovak Government Ready to Support Kia's Investment in 4.0 Industry

Teplicka nad Vahom, November 21 (TASR) – The Slovak Government is ready to support Kia Motors Slovakia’s investments in the field of 4.0 industry and in cars with alternative fuels, Economy Minister Peter Ziga (Smer-SD) said following his meeting with Kia’s president and chief executive officer Dae Sik Kim on Wednesday.

According to Ziga, Kia Motors Slovakia with its supplier network is one of the pillars of the Slovak economy and one of its most important employers. “The Government praises the contribution of this significant investment and is ready to discuss supporting Kia’s further activities, including investment in development, added value and increased competitiveness,” said Ziga.

Dae Sik Kim appreciated a possibility to hold personal talks with the economy minister on the current situation in Kia Motors Slovakia. “This year we introduced three new bodywork versions of the Kia Ceed model in order to ensure our competitiveness in Europe. We also discussed the challenges that the automotive industry in Slovakia is currently facing, as well as technologies of the future, alternative drives and automation and robotisation of production,” he said.

Kia Motors Slovakia is continuing its investment activities also this year, planning to invest almost €200 million in total. “In addition to investments related to launching production of new models, it has opened its own healthcare centre directly in the plant’s premises. Employees can fully use modern devices to prevent occupational diseases. We plan to continue investing also after 2019 and develop our activities in Slovakia, as well as in Europe,” stated Kia’s spokesman Jozef Bace.

Kia Motors Slovakia is the only Kia Motors Corporation production plant in Europe. It was built between 2004 and 2006. The production of cars as well as engines was launched in December 2006. The carmaker currently employs more than 3,800 people in Slovakia. Since it has launched production in Slovakia, it has built more than 3.1 million cars and 4.7 million engines.