Desk: Kia India on Monday announced plans to double its exports of completely knocked down (CKD) vehicle units by 2030, focusing on expansion in the Middle East and Africa markets.
According to the Hyundai Motor Company subsidiary, the initiative is in line with Kia’s long-term strategy to strengthen its position in the global automotive supply chain.
The company also revealed that it has crossed the export milestone of 100,000 units of CKD vehicles since the start of shipments in June 2020 from its Anantapur manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh.
Currently, Kia India accounts for 50% of Kia Corporation’s global CKD exports, highlighting the important role of its Indian operations.
In total, the company has exported 367,000 vehicles, including popular models such as Seltos, Sonet and Carensa.
In 2024, Kia India aims to export over 38,000 CKD units to key markets including Uzbekistan, Ecuador and Vietnam.
Equipped with advanced manufacturing technology, Kia’s Anantapur plant is strategically located close to major ports, enabling efficient logistics for exports.
Expansion into the Middle East and Africa is critical to Kia India’s growth strategy, given the growing demand in these regions for affordable and reliable vehicles.
* “Looking ahead, we aim to expand our CKD presence in the Middle East and Africa to double our export volumes by 2030,” said Junsu Cho, sales director, Kia India.
He also praised the export-friendly policies of the Government of India and highlighted its role in supporting this growth and improving India’s position in the global automotive value chain.
Kia India said its focus on CKD exports complements its efforts to meet domestic demand while strengthening its position as a global manufacturing hub.
