In 2011 Kia Motors  manufacturing facility at Zilina,  Slovakia, produced a record 252,000 cars exclusively for sale in European markets for that year – a 10 per cent increase over 2010.  The Kia facility also achieved a 12 per cent year-on-year increase in engine production, with more than 359,000 gasoline and diesel engines rolling off the production lines last year.

During 2011 Zilina began production of the Kia Venga B-Segment MPV and started operating its second engine shop – raising maximum engine production capacity to 450,000 units per full year.  In order to meet the continuing demand for its products across Europe, Kia also recruited and trained 900 new employees to operate a new third shift which begins this month.  In total, Kia currently employs more than 3,900 people at Zilina and is planning to raise output in Slovakia even further, aiming to produce 285,000 vehicles this year.

“Last year was very positive for Kia in Europe as we achieved record figures for vehicle and engine production,” said Eek-Hee Lee, President and CEO of Kia Motors Slovakia.  “Thanks to the significant efforts of our employees, we have also been able to extend our engine production capacity and begin manufacturing the Kia Venga.

“Our focus for 2012 is on embedding a regular three-shift operation so we can reach full plant capacity within the first quarter of the year, and then make preparations for volume production of the all-new Kia cee’d, which will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March.  I strongly believe that this exciting new model will help us to increase our output to our target of 285,000 cars this year,“ concludes Mr Lee.

Kia Motors Slovakia exports vehicles to the whole of Europe.  The main export markets in 2011 were as follows: 23 per cent of total production output was delivered to Russia, 10 per cent to Great Britain, 9 per cent to Germany, 8 per cent to Spain and 5 per cent to France.  The Kia cee’d family accounted for 41 per cent of production at Zilina in 2011, just ahead of the Sportage compact SUV on 40 per cent.

Kia Motors Corporation (www.kia.com) -- a maker of quality vehicles for the young-at-heart -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles.  Over 2.1 million Kia vehicles a year are produced in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries. Kia today has over 44,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$20 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA -- the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation's brand slogan – ‘The Power to Surprise‘ -- represents the company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.