Kia Corp., South Korea’s second-biggest carmaker by sales, reported on Thursday that one of its eight domestic plants has resumed operations after a fire in its paint shop. The No. 3 plant in Hwaseong, located south of Seoul, had been suspended since Aug. 28 when eight industrial robots were affected by the blaze.
The fire was likely caused by a spark in the robot cables. Kia produces the K5 sedan, K8 sedan, and all-electric EV6 SUV at the facility, although the company did not disclose the number of production losses due to the suspension.
Kia has eight plants in South Korea, located in Gwangmyeong, Hwaseong, and Gwangju. Additionally, the carmaker has six overseas plants in China, the United States, Slovakia, Mexico, and India, with a combined annual capacity of 3.84 million units.
This file photo provided by Hyundai Motor Group shows Kia Corp.'s Autoland Hwaseong plant. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
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