Kia India announces $2 bn investment in AP

Visakhapatnam: Kia India MD Gwanggu Lee praised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s commitment and dedication in promoting industrial growth.

Speaking at the inaugural session of the 31st CII Partnership Summit here, Kia India managing director and CEO Gwanggu Lee announced plans to establish an additional manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh with an investment of approximately $2 billion (around Rs 17,000 crore). The project is expected to generate around 12,000 jobs and increase Kia India’s annual production capacity from 4.3 lakh to 6.3 lakh vehicles.

Lee said Kia’s journey in Andhra Pradesh began in 2017 with the establishment of its first manufacturing plant, which was commissioned in a record 14 months with the cooperation and support of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He appreciated the Chief Minister’s commitment, dedication and proactive approach in promoting industrial growth and creating an investor-friendly environment in the state.

He highlighted that Kia India is among the country’s leading automobile manufacturers and the fastest OEM to achieve production milestones of 1 million vehicles in four years and 2 million vehicles within seven years. The company’s existing AP facility has an annual production capacity of 4.3 lakh vehicles and has emerged as a major export hub, with over 4.1 lakh vehicles and kits exported to nearly 100 countries, generating significant employment and strengthening the state’s automotive ecosystem.

He added that Kia’s contribution extends beyond manufacturing through supply-chain development and CSR initiatives in education, healthcare, skill development and community welfare. Lee said the proposed expansion reflects Kia India’s strong confidence in Andhra Pradesh and its long-term commitment to India.

He expressed the company’s commitment to further strengthening its partnership with the state government and supporting Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to become a global manufacturing and innovation hub.

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Vasu Potnuru

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Potnuru Srinivasa Rao (Vasu Potnuru) is an experienced journalist specialised in politics, sports, crime, general topics and tribal stories. With 18 years of writing and reporting expertise, he contributes to The Hans India's editorial department as Principal Correspondent based in Visakhapatnam. Vasu Potnuru completed his Bachelor of Business Management. Earlier, he worked as a staff reporter in a leading Telugu vernacular. During free time, the journalist spends time listening to music, playing cricket and shuttle badminton. Vasu Potnuru, an accomplished writer, honed his expertise in various genres such as politics, crime, sports and general topics. He received an award from the HYBIZ Media Awards for the Best Rural Story in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Also, he bagged the Best Crime Reporter Award in Visakhapatnam. He serves in different unions of working journalists and contributes to service activities.

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