- Shim to head up Kia Motors India operations with immediate effect
- Brings over 30 years automotive industry experience to the role
- Shim will oversee construction of Kia’s first manufacturing plant in India
- Kia Motors India operations backed by US$ 1.1 billion investment
Chennai, January 04, 2018 – Kia Motors India (KMI) has today announced the appointment of Kookhyun Shim as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. Shim will be responsible for driving Kia Motors’ expansion in the Indian market.
Shim will play a leading role in ensuring KMI’s projected timeline and schedule of operations is achieved. He will also oversee the construction of Kia Motor’s first manufacturing facility in India, to help strengthen the company’s position in the fifth largest global automotive market. Kia’s future development in the Indian market will be supported by a US$ 1.1 billion investment.
Shim, 58, brings over 30 years’ experience in the automotive industry to his new role, having most recently served as Head of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia Plant Coordination Group. Prior to this, he was responsible for the head coordinator of Kia production in Slovakia.
“We are delighted to announce the appointment of Kookhyun Shim as MD & CEO for India,” commented Han-Woo Park, President at Kia Motors Corporation. “We recognize India as a major market with huge potential for our world-class cars. We are confident that Shim’s leadership will provide the direction we need to grow our presence in what is one of the world’s biggest new car markets.”
“Kia has big plans for India,” commented Kookhyun Shim, new MD & CEO of KMI. “The Indian economy is at an inflection point, and I am excited to work in an emerging market that’s forecasted to become the third largest globally by 2021. India is a crucial market for all global automotive brands, and I aim to replicate the success that Kia has seen in many other major markets. Kia’s brand slogan, ‘The Power to Surprise’, will be present in everything we do here.”
About KIA Motors India (KMI)
In April 2017 Kia Motors signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, India, to build a new manufacturing facility in Anantapur District. Ground-breaking ceremony of Kia Motors’ first manufacturing facility in India is under consideration to commence in the first quarter of 2018. The manufacturing facility is expected to begin production in the second half of 2019 and produce approximately 300,000 units per year.
For more information about Kia Motors India, please visit our website www.kia.com
About Kia Motors Corporation (KMC)
Kia Motors Corporation – a maker of world-class quality vehicles for the young-at-heart – was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. Over 3 million Kia vehicles a year are produced at 14 manufacturing and assembly operations in five countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering around 180 countries. Kia today has over 51,000 employees worldwide and annual revenues of over US$45 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Open and an official automotive partner of FIFA – the governing body of the FIFA World Cup™. Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan – “The Power to Surprise” – represents the company’s global commitment to surprise the world by providing exciting and inspiring experiences that go beyond expectations.
For more information about Kia Motors and our products, please visit our Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com.