Kia Motors Appoints Kookhyun Shim as its India Managing Director & CEO

Kia Motors is all set to being its India innings. Kia Motors announced the appointment of Kookhyun Shim as its Managing Director & CEO for its India operations. Shim will play a leading role in ensuring Kiya Motors India (KMI)  projected timeline and schedule of operations is achieved. He will also oversee the construction of Kia Motor’s first manufacturing facility in India located at Greenfield land in Anantpur district, Andhra Pradesh. Kia Motors is investing US$ 1.1 billion in its India operations which is the 5th largest automotive market globally. The expected annual production capacity is 300,000 units from this production facility.

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.”

The newly appointed MD of Kia Motors India Kookhyun Shim said in his very first message “Kia has big plans for India,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.”

Kia will open its India chapter next month at the 2018 Auto Expo at Delhi. Watch this space for more on Kia Motors and its India debut.