Kia will begin automation upgrades at its Gwangmyeong EVO Plant, a key site for electric vehicle production. The assembly line will be temporarily shut down for about three weeks starting at the end of December to minimize disruptions to electric vehicle production in the coming year.
On October 7, industry sources reported that Kia and labor representatives reached an agreement on the shutdown for construction at the Gwangmyeong Auto Land EVO Plant. The shutdown will take place from December 18 to January 10. During this period, the production line will halt to facilitate automation upgrades, which are scheduled to start during the year-end when demand for electric vehicles typically decreases, allowing for a stable mass production system to be established in early next year.
Opened in 2024, the Gwangmyeong EVO Plant is South Korea's first dedicated electric vehicle factory, currently producing the EV3 and EV4 models. As Kia expands its electrified lineup focused on popular electric vehicle models, the role of the EVO Plant in producing these models is becoming increasingly significant. Kia aims to develop this facility into a core production hub for mainstream electric vehicles.
The upcoming automation upgrades are seen as a move to enhance production efficiency in anticipation of increased electric vehicle production. The focus will be on adding automation equipment to the assembly line, improving the stability and efficiency of the production processes for the EV3 and EV4 models.
Previously, when establishing the EVO Plant, Kia implemented automation in the production process by introducing automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for body processes and applying high-voltage battery and wheel and tire automatic mounting systems. With the new upgrades, further automation is expected to enhance production efficiency.
An industry insider noted, "Electric vehicles have fewer parts and simpler assembly processes compared to internal combustion engine vehicles, so increasing the level of automation can lead to improved productivity and reduced labor costs."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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