Kia Sportage Enters Production in Slovakia

Kia has debuted the production of the new Sportage SUV in Slovakia, with the company planing to reach an annual output of 35,000 units in the country.The car, which is destined for the export market, uses components form the Slovak Republic, other European countries, the U.S. and Koreea. Kia’s Slovakian arm has set itself a full line-up production output target of 200,000 units for 2010.

The Kia Sportage is fitted with a series of features that allow it to offer a good fuel economy, such as an ISG system that reduces the fuel consumption & CO2 emissions while the engine is idling and body elements that reduce air resistance.

The vehicle is currently available with a 163 hp 2.0 liter gasoline engine and with a 2.0 liter diesel unit that can develop 136 hp or 183 hp. These will be joined by a 1.6 liter gasoline powerplant and a 1.7 liter diesel engine in the future.

The vehicle’s exterior can be dressed in one of the 10 available colors, while the 564 liters cargo capacity offered by the SUV is among the best in its class.

“Spacious and practical Kia Sportage is our next step forward. The adjustment of production lines and installation of technologies for its production was realized from the beginning of the year and the trial production went smoothly. On July 28, we are launching the volume production in which we focus on quality, productivity and efficiency. We believe to fulfill our production plan and new Kia Sportage will become our key product on the European market," said In-Kyu Bae, President and CEO of Kia Motors Slovakia.