Since the inception of the ultra-modern KIA vehicles assembly plant in Lagos, it now produces nine models and their respective trims and has rolled out over 2,500 units.

This was revealed during a recent facility tour by auto-journalists to the plant in Lagos. The tour was conducted by the management of the plant which include Chief Operation Officer, Gitesh Yagnik; Chief Commercial Officer, Sandeep Malhotra and Supply Chain Manager, Yemisi Onanuga.

The Chief Commercial Officer of Kia Motors Nigeria, Mr. Sundeep Malhotra, restated the company’s commitment to the development of the country’s automobile industry despite the short term challenges presently facing the the sector.

The complex of the plant has been built to the high standard of KIA Motors Corporation, it took several months of construction, installation of technologically advanced equipment.

According to them, the plant kicked off with semi knocked down with painted and trimmed bodies shipped from an established plant in one box. Mechanicals are put in another and these, including other accessories, are coupled in the production lines.

Some of the Kia models assembled at the new car plant so far include its best-selling Kia Rio, Cerato, Optima, Sportage and the recently unveiled 2015 Kia Sorento.

Engineering graduates of Nigerian universities are in charge of vehicle assembly in the ultra-modern Kia vehicles assembly plant in Lagos.Kia Nigeria trained and qualified 150 engineers that can be compared to international standard and over 50 support staff running the operational and assembly process cycle of the plant.

At the end of the tour, it’s apparently lucid that there was no compromise on the quality and the high standard of the plant and it remains one of the best in the country. It’s highly ventilated facility and its environmental worthiness bring the auto company to the fore of the Nigerian auto industry. The excitement emanating from the plant cannot be overemphasized as the employees are passionate about their work and are committed to producing made-in-Nigeria Kia vehicles the preferred choice in the country.

 

Source: Vanguard