Kia Reportedly Mulling First ASEAN Production Hub In Thailand

Korean automaker Kia is reportedly mulling plans to establish its first ASEAN production hub in Thailand.

The business arm of Korean title Pulse News reports that Korean automaker Kia is in the midst of reviewing plans to establishing a production facility in Thailand.

Should this materialize, this will stand as Kia’s first production hub in the ASEAN region, and the report cited an annual production target go 250,000 vehicles too. It will also stand as Kia’s first new overseas plant built in years – its last one was established in India, which completed back in 2018.

Apart from that and its Korea-based home production efforts, Kia presently produces cars in facilities located in China, Mexico, Slovakia, as well as the United States. If green-lit, the proposed new facility in Thailand will also stand as Kia’s sixth overseas hub outside of South Korea.

3 of 4 current Kia models on sale locally in Malaysia starting with the locally assembled (CKD) Carnival MPV (top left), Sorento D-segment SUV (top right), and the fully imported (CBU) Niro EV (above).

Citing multiple sources including those from within the local Thai auto industry, the report continues to highlight that Kia is presently in discussions with the Thai government for said facility’s establishment. Following which, an investment deal is widely expected to be inked between both parties later this year.

Similarly, Kia’s bigger sibling, Hyundai Motors, is also producing vehicles in ASEAN, specifically in Indonesia were local production commenced last year. Moreover, parent Hyundai Motor Group, also reportedly view both Indonesia and Thailand as markets with potential for growth and high volume.