South Korean automaker Kia Motors has started construction of its third auto production plant in Yancheng Economic Development Zone in Jiangsu, China, to further strengthen its presence in the country.

Scheduled to be completed in the first half of 2014 the new plant is expected to produce 300,000 cars annually.The new plant combined with the company’s existing two plants will help increase its annual production in China to 730,000 units.

Kia, which is partly owned by the South Korea’s Hyundai Motor, sold 432,518 vehicles in China last year and plans to sell 460,000 this year.

Hyundai Motor chairman Mong-Koo Chung said,” This third plant in China will be an opportunity for us to make further progress on the quality front as well as increase overall customer satisfaction.”

The new plant will have a press, body, painting, assembly and engine module processes and also feature a technology research center and 1.96km long high-speed test track.

Via: ABR.