On May 3th Kia Motors Slovakia launches a volume production of all-new Kia cee’d. It is manufactured exclusively in Slovakia and exported into the whole Europe. More sophisticated, more efficient, more refined and with a more engaging driving experience than its predecessor, new cee’d is expected to build on the success of the original model. Kia cee’d is a key product for the plant, thanks to which the company expects a production growth in 2012. Kia invested around 200 million EUR into the production technologies in 2011 and thanks to the new model, the factory hired around 900 people to launch the third work shift in January this year. Currently, Kia employs more than 3,900 people and has used a full production capacity of the plant since April. “The original cee’d was a landmark and game-changing model for Kia. Designed, developed and built in Europe. The cee’d model establishes Kia as a serious contender to the established brands. Today, we have successfully launched the production of all-new cee’d which represents a further leap for the brand and also our factory. We use our full production capacity in three-work shift operation and the new model should help us to increase the production up to 285,000 cars this year,” said Eek-Hee Lee, President and CEO of Kia Motors Slovakia. “We plan to invest more than EUR 110 million in total into the production of new models in 2012 as the cee’d wagon version production launch is planned for the second half of this year,” added Eek-Hee Lee.
The new cee’d will replace the first generation model which started off a new era for Kia in Europe. It changed Kia brand perception completely and it was the first model sold with a unique 7-year warranty on the European market. More than 635,000 cee’d units were manufactured in Kia Motors Slovakia plant from the launch of volume production in 2006 until the end of March 2012. More than 13,000 units of cee’d were sold in Slovakia and over 900 of them are used by the Slovak police force. New cee’d is both longer and lower than its predecessor, giving the five-door hatchback a more sporty profile. Overall length is increased by 50 mm (to 4,310 mm) and overall height has been reduced by 10 mm (to 1,470 mm) by lowering the ride height. Despite being based on a completely new platform, new cee’d carries over the 2,650 mm wheelbase, one of the longest in the C-segment, from its predecessor. Cee’d will be manufactured exclusively in a range of 10 exterior colours – five new and five carried over. In developing new cee’d, Kia’s engineers had a strong focus on reducing fuel consumption and emissions without sacrificing engine response or power output. Updated engines and various small but impactful changes have resulted in an average fuel consumption improvement of 4% across the model range.
New model will be available with two gasoline (1.4 MPI, 1.6 GDI) and two diesel (1.4 WGT, 1.6 VGT) engines offering power outputs from 90 to 135 ps. Higher quality cabin materials and a broader range of high-tech equipment will ensure the interior of new cee’d matches the premium exterior appearance. Primary and secondary controls are grouped in a driver-oriented layout for intuitive ease of use, while new standard equipment will include tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, iPod, Aux and USB support, six speaker audio system and a multi-mode trip computer.
