Kia resumes partial output at Slovakia plant

Kia started partial production at its plant in Zilina, Slovakia, on Monday after a two-week stop due to the coronavirus crisis.

The factory will operate on a limited basis initially with only two of the normal three shifts operating, Kia Europe told Automotive News Europe in an emailed statement.

The Zilina plant is Kia's only European production base. It builds the Ceed compact-car range and Sportage SUV.

Output will be influenced by factors including the availability of components, as well as guidance issued by local public health authorities, Kia said.

"We are adapting production of certain models and specifications based on the supply of parts," Kia said in its statement.

Among safety measures put in place to protect the health of workers are two tents with thermocameras where employees' temperatures are measured before they enter the factory, Kia Slovakia said on its Facebook page.

Kia temporarily closed the plant on March 23 as the coronavirus outbreak worsened.

Other automakers with factories in Slovakia have not yet resumed production.

Volkswagen extended a production stoppage at its Bratislava plant until April 19. The factory builds the Porsche Cayenne, VW Touareg and Audi Q7 large SUVs, along with the VW Up, Skoda Citigo and Seat Mii minicars, and axles and floor platforms for the Bentley Bentayga.

Jaguar Land Rover has paused production at its plant in Nitra, Slovakia, which opened in 2018. The factory builds the new Land Rover Defender and the Discovery large SUV.

"We will continue to review and monitor the rapidly changing circumstances before taking the decision to return to production,"  a JLR spokesperson told ANE.

PSA Slovakia has extended the shutdown of its plant in Trnava until April 13.

Slovakia registered 534 coronavirus cases as of Sunday midnight. Two people have died so far. Economy Minister Richard Sulik is considering reopening more shops after the Easter holidays, such as car showrooms or florists, local press reported.

Kia's sister brand, Hyundai, plans to reopen its factory in Nosovice, in the Czech Republic on April 14. The plant builds the i30 compact car, the Kona full-electric crossover and Tucson SUV.

Nick Gibbs and Reuters contributed to this report