Kia Motors Forced to Suspend Production at 4 Domestic Plants

Kia Motors Corporation will temporarily suspend four of its nine domestic plants due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

South Korea's second-biggest carmaker by sales will halt operations at its two Sohari plants in Gwangmyeong from April 27-May 8 and May 22-25.

Furthermore, one of the two plants in Gwangju will shut down: from April 27 to May 8, with the other one from April 27 to 29.

The temporary suspensions are aimed to keep inventories at manageable levels due to lower overseas demand.

Consumers have stopped visiting dealerships due to COVID-19 fears.

The four factories to be temporarily closed manufacture the majority of Kia's exports. One of the Sohari plants builds the Stinger sports car and the K9 sedan and, while the other makes the subcompact Stonic.

One of the Gwangju plants produces the Soul boxcar and the Sportage SUV, while the other creates military vehicles, pick-up trucks, and large buses.

During the suspension, Kia will continue to build trucks and military cars.

Other than its nine domestic plants, Kia also operates three factories in China.

The company's plants in India, the United States, and Mexico are also suspended.

Kia has a total output capacity of 3.84 million units.