Kia Motors Slovakia has started to build the Venga alongside the Ceed and Sportage at its factory in Zilina, Slovakia while Hyundai Motor in the Czech Republic has taken over building the ix35.

The B-segment MPV was initially built at parent Hyundai Motor’s plant in the Czech Republic and the ix35 in Slovakia.

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A Kia UK spokesman said the move brought responsibility for each brand’s products within their own plants and also expanded capacity for the popular Sportage and ix35 SUVs.

The Zilina plant is expanding to include a third shift and a second engine shop and will employ an extra 1,000 staff bringing the total to 4,000 employees. Kia spent EUR40m modifying the production lines to incorporate the Venga and on staff training.

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