Kia's Zilina factory at full capacity for first time.

• Zilina manufactured 158,900 vehicles from January to June 2013
• Output represents six per cent growth for the first half of 2013
• Kia Slovakia is currently at full production capacity for the first time in its history

Kia Motors Slovakia recorded a six per cent year-on-year increase in output, producing 158,900 cars at its
Zilina, Slovakia facility during the first half of 2013. The company started production of the all-new Kia pro_cee’d three-door model in February, followed by the higher performance Kia pro_cee’d GT and five-door Kia cee’d GT models at the end of May.  The plant is now operating at full production capacity for the first time ever.

Kia Motors Slovakia also produced more than 253,200 petrol and diesel engines for the first six months of 2013, a 6.7 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Eek-hee Lee, President and CEO of Kia Motors Slovakia said; "Despite the less than favourable situation in some markets, European customers still appreciate Kia’s offer that combines top quality, attractive design and great value for money.

“That has enabled us to achieve a six per cent year-on-year production increase, with almost 160,000 cars manufactured in the first half of the year.  We believe that the new models launched this year will support us remaining at full production capacity,” he added.

Kia’s Zilina facility produces the second-generation Kia cee’d, the Kia Sportage sport utility vehicle, and the practical B-segment MPV, the Kia Venga.  Kia Sportage accounted for almost 48 per cent of the overall production output in the first half of 2013.  The remainder 42 per cent is made up of the Kia cee'd models, while the Kia Venga represents 10 per cent of production.  Most of these cars were exported to Russia (24 per cent), the UK (14 per cent), Germany (nine per cent), France (five per cent) and Italy (five per cent).  Almost one per cent of output is sold in Slovakia.

In the first half of 2013, Kia also manufactured 133,100 petrol engines (53 per cent of total engine output), the most popular variant being the 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine, and over 120,100 diesel engines (47 per cent).  Of total engine production output, 47 per cent was supplied to sister company, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech, in the Czech Republic.