[THE INVESTOR] South Korean automaker Kia Motors officially opened a new plant in Mexico on Sept. 7.

The plant, with an annual production capacity of 400,000 units, is located in Pesqueria in the northern Mexican state of Nuevo Leon. It is Kia’s fourth overseas location after China, Europe and the US.

More than 500 people attended the opening ceremony, including Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Mong-koo (second from right), Secretary of Economy of Mexico Ildefonso Guajardo Villareal (second from left), Nuevo Leon Governor Jaime Rodriguez Calderon (right) and Korean Ambassador to Mexico Chun Bee-ho. 




“We plan to manufacture world quality, innovative designed cars at the plant for our customers in Mexico and to export to other countries,” Chung said at the ceremony. “The Mexico plant will become a prestigious auto plant in the world based on Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors’ high quality experience.”

The construction of Kia Motors’ new plant started in October 2014. Since May, the plant has rolled out Forte compact cars, sold as K3 in South Korea.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)