Kia's Zilina Plant Spits Out 500,000th Car

After back in July 2009 South Korean manufacturer Kia announced plans to invest 2.3 billion euros to make its European business, including the Zilina, Slovakia facility, a bit greener, the carmaker now steps forth and announces why it will focus more on the European business in the future: potential.

The carmaker announced it has produced its 500,000th car in Zilina, since volume production began in December 2006. The car in question is a white cee’d SW, which has been donated to the Transplantation Centre in nearby Martin as part of its local community support activities.

"I am very proud that we are achieving a high efficiency of production as well as the highest-quality cars in our factory," In-Kyu Bae, President and CEO of Kia Motors Slovakia said.

"This car will be used for transfers of surgery teams and organs for transplantation in Slovakia. Thanks to this donation, we can improve and increase the safety of our work aimed at saving lives," Viliam Grajciar, Economy Deputy of the Faculty Hospital in Martin concluded.

Kia will move on with its European plans by continuing the production of the cee'd and the ix35, which began rolling off assembly lines last week, on January 15.

In 2010, Kia will keep employment levels at 2,800 and increase the number of cars produced thanks to the introduction of two new models. From June 2010, a new Kia Sportage will be produced here.