Kia Motors working on developing India-spec models

Kia Motors, Hyundai’s sister brand, is currently in talks with a few Indian state governments to set up its local manufacturing facility. Meanwhile, the company has already started work on developing India-spec models with the help of its Hyderabad R&D facility (owned by Hyundai).

According to a note in Kia’s recent annual report, the R&D centre in Hyderabad supports design and evaluation of automobiles with a focus on developing localised products.

Kia Motors, Hyundai’s sister brand, is currently in talks with a few Indian state governments to set up its local manufacturing facility. Meanwhile, the company has already started work on developing India-spec models with the help of its Hyderabad R&D facility (owned by Hyundai).

According to a note in Kia’s recent annual report, the R&D centre in Hyderabad supports design and evaluation of automobiles with a focus on developing localised products.

Now that Hyundai clearly made a shift to the premium end of the market with its Grand i10, i20, Creta and upcoming Tucson, Kia is likely to take up the cost sensitive space previously occupied by its sister company and lead the charge against Maruti Suzuki. Such a strategy would be in contrast to the market positioning of these two brands in the international markets. Kia is positioned above Hyundai globally.

The government officials of Tamil Nadu and Andra Pradesh are reported to have offered land for Kia to set up its plant. We would be knowing about the automaker’s final decision on the location of its India plant sooner than later.

This article first appeared on Rushlane.com