Andhra Pradesh: Kia Motors restarts Anantapur plant on single shift, to resume full production only post Covid-19

HYDERABAD: Korean auto player Kia Motors India has resumed production at its Anantapur facility in Andhra Pradesh but only on a single shift basis and will resume full production only once the Covid-19 situation normalises in the country, it said on Monday.
“Currently, the plant is operating a single shift and operations will begin in full force only once the Covid-19 situation in the country normalises,” the company said pointing out that it has put in place a comprehensive regimen of safety measures at its production facility in AP as production resumes.
The company said it resumed operations from May 8 to cater to both domestic and export markets after its operations were suspended following the nationwide lockdown announced by the Indian government.
“All the necessary permissions from the Andhra Pradesh Government and Anantapur local municipal corporation were taken before operations resumed at the Kia Motors India manufacturing facility,” the company said, adding that it invested the initial few days to ready its facilities, putting all safety measures in place for the well-being of its employees and vendors.
Kia Motors India managing director & CEO Kookhyun Shim said the company’s priorities are to clear pending orders for already launched models as well as upcoming ones. “Kia Motors India priorities are to clear pending orders for the best-selling Seltos and luxurious Carnival, and also to prepare the line for the eagerly anticipated compact SUV, Sonet. Our stakeholders, including suppliers and logistics partners, are all in-line with the current production and have assured us support in case we have to increase production volumes over the coming days,” Shim said.