From mid‑June, Kia Motors Slovakia will carry out an extensive reconstruction of the production line at Engine Shop 2. The EUR 70 million modification will enable Kia’s only European manufacturing plant to produce the second generation of 1.6 GDi and T‑GDi gasoline engines. These latest‑generation, environmentally friendly power units will be installed not only in models produced at the Žilina plant, but also in Kia facilities in Nošovice, Czech Republic, and Turkey.
The investment in new engine production is important not only for the Žilina region, but also for the entire Slovak economy. The lifecycle of the new production solution spans several years, during which production volumes and employment at the manufacturing plant are secured.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Richard Sulík welcomed the positive news from Kia Motors Slovakia as an encouraging signal for other businesses in Slovakia.
“In the current challenging times, investments in innovation are an important positive signal for economic recovery,” emphasized the Minister of Economy. He expressed his belief that this investment will not remain an isolated case and that other companies will use the post‑crisis restart caused by coronavirus measures to introduce innovations, modernize operations, and support environmentally friendly solutions.
The government is striving to implement measures that can help revive the economy.
“In the case of Kia, which is one of the pillars of the Slovak economy, the Ministry of Economy is ready to support investments in smart industry and vehicles with alternative powertrains,” added Richard Sulík.
The demanding engine‑plant modification had been planned long‑term, but the current coronavirus crisis postponed its implementation several times. Its execution requires the involvement of multiple foreign specialists. On Thursday, June 11, 184 specialists arrived in Bratislava on a special charter flight directly from Seoul, South Korea, and will be joined by experts from Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Czech Republic. Following consultations with the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic and the Public Health Authority, Kia Motors Slovakia is able to ensure a safe working environment within its production facilities. To date, no positive cases have been recorded among Kia Motors Slovakia employees.
Kia Motors Slovakia is the only automotive manufacturer in Slovakia that also produces powertrain units. At its two engine plants, both gasoline and diesel engines are currently manufactured.
