Kia India has exported one lakh made-in-India CKD kits of its vehicles to international markets since June 2020, from its only plant in India, located in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
- India accounts for 50 percent of Kia’s global CKD exports
- Kia aims to export 38,000 CKD kits from India this year
- Syros compact SUV will be the next Kia model to be made at India plant
Kia India plans to export 38,000 CKD kits this year
India accounts for 50 percent of Kia’s global CKD exports. In 2024, Kia India expects to export over 38,000 CKD units to markets such as Uzbekistan, Ecuador, and Vietnam. The company’s exports primarily include the Seltos, Sonet, and Carens, which are heavily localised in India. Kia aims to expand its made-in-India CKD exports to newer markets like the Middle East and Africa, with plans to double export volumes by 2030.
Kia India’s Anantapur plant has a manufacturing capacity of 3,00,000 units annually. In addition to exporting CKD kits abroad, the plant supplies vehicles to the domestic market and exports fully built units to select countries. The plant began trial production in early 2019, with the Seltos rolling out for series production in the same year. More recently, the local assembly of the flagship Carnival MPV has also started here with imported kits.
Kia India will introduce the Syros compact SUV in the coming months. Just like the Sonet, Carens, and Seltos, India is likely to serve as a mother plant for the Syros as well. The Syros will go on sale with an ICE powertrain first, followed by an EV a little later. Additionally, there are plans to introduce the Carens facelift and the Carens EV next year, which will be Kia’s first mainstream EV for the Indian market.
Hormazd Sorabjee
Anurag Chaturvedi
