Kia Motors temporarily halted production at its Gwangju plant in South Korea on Wednesday after a partial strike at Motras, a subsidiary of auto parts supplier Hyundai Mobis, caused a shortage of electronic module components.
The stoppage affected Plant 1, where the EV5 and Seltos SUVs are assembled, and Plant 2, producing the Sportage and Soul, while a third facility remained operational.
Local reports indicated that Motras workers began four-hour daily strikes on September 24, demanding full employment guarantees and performance-based pay comparable to other automakers.
A Kia spokesperson said, “Motras is expected to resume normal operations tomorrow. The Kia Gwangju plant is also expected to resume normal operations tomorrow.”
The Gwangju complex produces roughly 1,000 vehicles per day across its facilities. The temporary shutdown disrupted production of hundreds of vehicles, although precise figures were not available.
The EV5, Kia’s midsize electric SUV, has recently expanded into global markets following its launch in China. In the UK, the EV5 is priced from £39,295 ($53,000) with an estimated range of up to 329 miles.
Deliveries in Europe and South Korea are expected later this year, with Canada and other markets scheduled for 2026. The Sportage, Seltos, and Soul remain key models in Kia’s international SUV lineup.
Source: Newsis
