In the aftermath of a fire that erupted at Kia’s No. 3 plant in Hwaseong, South Korea, the automaker has announced a temporary halt in production until September 6. Among the models manufactured at the facility is Kia’s notable EV6 electric crossover.
Kia, an affiliate of Hyundai Motor Company, has taken the decision to suspend operations at its Autoland Hwaseong 3 plant, strategically located just south of Seoul.
The temporary shutdown, as reported by the Korea Economic Daily, is expected to have implications for the production of numerous vehicles, including the EV6 crossover, along with the K5 and K8 sedans.
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The fire incident unfolded around 7:30 p.m. on Monday, originating on the second floor of the plant’s robot-operated painting line. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties in the incident.
The plant’s automated fire extinguishing system promptly came into action, successfully extinguishing the fire within approximately 40 minutes. Nonetheless, eight painting line robots were temporarily halted due to the fire.
A representative from Kia commented on the situation, stating:
“We are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the precise cause of the fire. Our team is committed to expediting the resumption of operations at the Autoland Hwaseong 3 factory.”
Although the fire was effectively contained and other production lines remained operational, Kia has chosen to suspend the entire facility temporarily in order to carry out comprehensive quality control measures. During this period, the impacted equipment will be fully reinstalled, in preparation for subsequent trial production.
Indications suggest that the production halt is likely to result in delays in vehicle deliveries. Typically, it takes around a month for newly ordered vehicles from Kia’s Hwaseong complex to be delivered.
Kia’s strategic plans encompass the establishment of a new production line at the facility, dedicated to the construction of purpose-built electric vehicles. The commencement of mass production is projected to be underway by the conclusion of 2025.
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In parallel, Kia currently manages operations across eight plants within South Korea, and an additional six overseas facilities, including manufacturing sites in China, the US, Slovakia, Mexico, and India.
Amid these developments, Kia has recently introduced the electric EV5 compact SUV, expanding its lineup alongside the EV6, Niro EV, and flagship EV9. Furthermore, the automaker has initiated pre-orders for its new entry-level Ray EV in South Korea, offering a starting price point of approximately $20,500.
