The first KIA SP2i to be launched in India in 2019 : Kia Motors, world’s 8th largest automaker, today during a facility tour showcased that the enormous 536-acre plant at Anantapur that is on the verge of completion and the company is expected to roll out its first product, the SP2i in India around September 2019.
The upcoming car is being manufactured in the company’s Anantapur plant and will be equipped with world-class quality, finest design and state-of-art technology. The company aims to be amongst the top 5 automakers in India within three years.
Kia Motors made its debut in India at the Auto Expo 2018 and showcased its 16 top global line-up along with SP2i, the most liked car at the Auto expo. Drawing inspiration from India and the ‘powerful’ face of India’s very own ‘Royal Bengal Tiger’, the car carries Kia’s famous and the most distinctive feature- ‘Tiger Nose Grille’, designed by Chief Design Officer, Mr. Peter Schreyer. The car truly fits into the ‘Make in India’ segment and combines everything Indian customers desire in a car promising state-of-the-art technology with a sporty, stylish design.
Kia started its India operations nearly a year ago with the inauguration of its plant at Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh where the work is in full swing. With the plant being nearly ready, it will be operational by second half of 2019. The plant has an annual installed capacity of producing over 300,000 vehicles and expects to create over 3,000 direct and 7,000 indirect jobs in the region.
Kia has invested around 1.1 billion dollars in the plant to ensure the availability of best of local manufacturing, while offering technology as per global standards.The plant is also capableof 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 company also introduced 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.
Entering the Indian market, Kia plans to expand its portfolio by launching cars in every six to nine months, lining at least 5 vehicles by 2021. 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.
Kia Motors Corporation has more than doubled its global 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, Kia Motors India is committed and confident of producing hybrid and electric vehicles at Anantapur plant. Recently the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state of Andhra Pradesh to collaborate on the ‘Partnership for Future Eco Mobility’ by giving Niro model – Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and EV – to Andhra Pradesh government.
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.
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 country. Through the Kia Official Match Ball Carriers program, Sunil Chettri, Captain of the Indian National Football team selected two kids to represent India along with 62 others from around the world during the World cup. Last month, Kia Motors India partnered with Bengaluru Football Club as a principal sponsor for the ongoing season of the Indian Super League 2019 through to end of the 2021/22 season. Recently, the brand selected top 10 tennis enthusiasts who will represent India as the official ballkids at the Australian Open in January. The kids were mentored by ace tennis player, Mahesh Bhupathi and will be sent on a fully sponsored trip for three weeks to Melbourne.
