The first Kia mid-SUV will be equipped with power-packed performance and world-class design and quality.Interior and exterior sketches of the mid-SUVshowcase bold, distinctive and dynamic design.Kia is planning to expand its portfolio by launching cars every six to nine months with launch of the first car scheduled in the second half of 2019.Construction of the new 536-acre manufacturing plant in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh now complete.
Kia Motors, world’s 8th largest automakershared its India business plans and expansion strategy during a press conference in Mangalore today. Yong S. Kim, Executive Director and CSO and Manohar Bhat, Head of Sales & Marketing, Kia Motors India revealed that the company is all set tohost the world premiere of the much-awaited mid-SUV on 20th June. With a target of launching a new car every six to nine months after the launch of the first product in India, which is scheduled in the second half of this year, Kia is planning to expand its portfolio to at least 5 vehicles by 2021and aims to be a leading player in the fastest growing automotive market in the world by offering world class products with best design language, sporty character and reliability.
Kia Motors made its debut in India at the Auto Expo 2018 and showcased its 16 top global line-up along with SP Concept, the most liked car at the Auto expo. The upcoming car is being manufactured in the company’s Anantapur plant will roll out in the second half of 2019 and will be equipped with world-class quality, finest design and state-of-art technology. Recently, the brand revealed the interior and exterior sketchesof the car which showcased bold, distinctive and dynamic design of the upcoming mid-SUV. Aimed at young-at-heart, tech-savvy buyers looking for a bold design statement, this car will provide high-tech features including 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment and Sound Mood Lighting. Drawing inspiration from India and the ‘powerful’ face of India’s very own ‘Royal Bengal Tiger’, the car will come withKia’s famous and the most distinctive feature- ‘Tiger Nose Grille’.
On January 29, 2019, Kia Motors India marked the start of trial production of the upcoming mid-SUV and showcased the camouflaged production version of its first car for India adding to the excitement of Kia arrival to India and reiterating the brand’s philosophy of “Power to Surprise”.
The Kiamid-SUV will be manufactured at the enormous 536-acre Anantapur Kiaplant which has an annual installed capacity of producing over 300,000 vehicles and will create over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in the region.A US$2bn investment by Kia and its vendor partners ensures the availability of world-standard technologies and the development of high-quality local manufacturing skills. The plant is also capable of producing hybrid and electric vehicles. Kia takes immense pride in the fact that the plant has the most advanced global technology such as Robotics & Artificial Intelligence and is remarkably environment friendly with capabilities like 100% water recycling within the plant. In addition to this, the plant houses a five-acre training facility that offers a Basic Technical Course (BTC) in automobiles for skill development to provide all the skills necessary for an entry-level job on the factory floor, in the plant. The entry in Indian market will play a crucial role complementing company’s other plants in Korea, Slovakia, China, USA and Mexico.
Kia plans to expand its portfolio by launching a new car in every six to nine months, lining at least 5 vehicles by 2021. Staying true to the company's global commitment of ‘The Power to Surprise’,Kia plans to provide experiences that go beyond expectations. The brand is deeply focusing on future mobility, design, product and capacity along with world-class vehicle maintenance and repair services facilities to create strong foundations in the country by providing the best car ownership experience to Indian customers.Since its entry in the Indian market, Kia Motors has focused on developing a strong Aftersales & Network presence in India and customer relations. To further ease the process of owning a Kia, the automaker has signed an MoU with 8 leading banks of India to provide financing solutions with attractive offers to the customers that will enhance the brand’s penetration in tier 2, 3 and 4 markets.
Kia Motors India also concluded its second phase of roadshows, covering26 cities over a span of two months covering 15,000 kms. Through this activity Kia Motors India reached out to over 10,000 potential customers and buyers across the country.
Globally, Kia Motors Corporation has more than doubled its sales since 2008, reporting sale of 2.8 million cars last year Aligning with the global vision of Kia Motors Corporation to launch 16 electric vehicles by 2025 and make the planet greener and cleaner for the generations to come.The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state of Andhra Pradesh to collaborate on the ‘Partnership for Future Eco Mobility’ by givingfour of its world class Eco fleet cars and installed a charging stations at the Andhra Pradesh secretariat.Kia vehicles are the highest quality products in the world today. Kia has surpassed all other global automobile brands sold in the USA to achieve the top ranking for four consecutive years in JD Power’s Initial Quality Study. To maintain this quality, the company is focusing on training &upskill indigenous talent in India to create highest level of localization in the products without compromising on global quality.
Design has been at the forefront of Kia’s brand philosophy and the company has proved its design prowess time and again. This year, Kia won three prestigious Red-Dot Design award for the Kia Ceed range – marking the third consecutive win and cementing Kia’s position as car design leaders in the world. Additionally, Kia’s first brand TVC for India revealed the unique elements that are instrumental in lending the inimitable design exclusive to Kia cars in a very creative manner. The brand campaign TVChas clinched the title of the single most watched ad on the video-streaming site, in India with more than 236 Mn views on YouTube and more than 300 Mn views across social media in just 50 days.
Kia has been a global custodian of sports partnering various global sporting events such as FIFA World Cup and Australian Open. The company is bringing this legacy to India by encouraging millions of sports enthusiasts in the countrythrough various sporting partnerships such as FIFA Official Match Ball Carriers Program, Australian Open Ballkids International Program and partnership with ISL 2019 winner Bengaluru Football Club.
About Kia Motors India (KMI)
In April 2017, Kia Motors signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, to build a new manufacturing facility in Anantapur District. Construction of Kia Motors’ first manufacturing facility in India has been completed, with trial production commencing in January 2019. The manufacturing facility is expected to begin series production in the second half of 2019 and produce approximately 300,000 units per year.
For more information about Kia Motors India, please visit www.kia-motors.in
About Kia Motors Corporation
Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) -a maker of world-class quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. About 3 million Kia vehicles a year are produced at 14 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 180 countries. Kia today has over 51,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$47 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open, official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™ – and official partner of the UEFA Europa League – the world’s largest professional club football competition. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – "The Power to Surprise" – represents the company's global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.
Yong S. Kim is the Executive Director & Chief Strategy Officer for Kia Motors India. He is responsible for overseeing the sales function, mid-to-long-term strategic plans of Kia Motors India, and coordinates with Kia Motors Corporation head office in South Korea. He leads the strategic plans of the organization and looks after the executive marketing and sales requirements of the company at a corporate level, equipping Kia Motors to strengthen its position in the Indian market.
Kim has over thirty years of auto experience as a senior executive across different countries for Kia Motors Corporation. With his deep understanding of the Indian market, he plays a vital role in establishing and setting up operations in the country and to make Kia a success in India.
Manohar Bhat heads Marketing & Sales at Kia Motors India. He is responsible for marketing, sales and after sales service operations. He is working towards building the brand Kia as a household name in India by setting an aggressive marketing strategy for India.
Bhat is an automotive industry veteran with twenty-five years of experience. He has headed various Marketing & Sales functions nationally with major Indian automakers.
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