Mayor Kang Gijeong Communicates with Industry at Kia Autoland

Congratulations on Surpassing 500,000 Vehicles Produced
Encouragement for Labor and Management
Calls for a Central Role in Future Mobility

Gwangju Mayor Kang Kijeong visited Kia Autoland Gwangju on the 27th to celebrate surpassing 500,000 units produced for two consecutive years and took a commemorative photo. (From the third person from the left in the photo: Kim Sungjin, Director of Gwangju Green Car Promotion Agency; Moon Jaewoong, Plant Manager of Kia Autoland Gwangju; Mayor Kang Kijeong; Yoo Samyong, Executive Director of Kia Autoland Gwangju; Kim Heejun, Executive Director of Kia Autoland Gwangju) Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong continued his efforts to communicate with the industrial sector by visiting 'Kia Autoland Gwangju' on the 27th, following his visit to Kumho Tire last month.

Mayor Kang's visit to 'Kia Autoland Gwangju' was to encourage the achievement of producing over 500,000 vehicles for two consecutive years through labor-management cooperation, and to rally support for fostering the future mobility industry.

At 'Kia Autoland Gwangju,' Mayor Kang held a meeting with Plant Manager Moon Jaewoong, Executive Directors Yoo Samyong and Kim Heejun, and Union Branch Leader Eun Yongcheol, and toured the electric vehicle production line.

Mayor Kang first congratulated the executives and employees of 'Kia Autoland Gwangju' for achieving significant results through labor-management harmony. 'Kia Autoland Gwangju' set records by producing 541,100 vehicles in 2023 and 513,782 vehicles in 2024, serving as a pillar for the growth of the local manufacturing industry despite challenging economic conditions such as high interest rates, high inflation, and high exchange rates. Achieving production of over 500,000 vehicles for two consecutive years is a record not seen in nine years, since 2014-2015. Strong sales of popular models such as the Sportage, Seltos, and Bongo Truck continue.

Mayor Kang also requested support for fostering the future mobility industry, as the final confirmation of the national strategic project following the successful attraction of the '1 million-pyeong Future Vehicle National Industrial Complex' after 14 years will accelerate the creation of the national industrial complex.

Discussing the automotive industry's response to tariff policies initiated by Trump, he stated, "Gwangju City will spare no effort in providing support so that we can turn this crisis into an opportunity."

The city is focusing on expanding and fostering the local automotive industry, its representative industry, into the future mobility industry. This year, the city is actively promoting the creation of the Future Vehicle National Industrial Complex and the development of a specialized cluster for autonomous vehicle materials, parts, and equipment. Efforts are also being made to vitalize Bitgreen National Industrial Complex and Cheomdan Industrial Complex, which have been designated as Opportunity Development Zones, by attracting companies from the Seoul metropolitan area.

Additionally, the city is supporting local automotive and mobility companies in developing future vehicle parts technology, as well as in testing, evaluation, and certification systems through the eco-friendly parts cluster and parts certification center. This year, a collaborative factory will also open, enabling local parts companies to directly design, manufacture, and produce special-purpose vehicles.

The Future Vehicle Transition Support Center will strengthen its functions to support local automotive parts companies in transitioning to future vehicles. By collaborating with mobility innovation institutions, the city will enhance companies' quality and technological capabilities, support commercialization and overseas marketing, and steadily build an ecosystem for the future vehicle parts industry.

Mayor Kang said, "'Kia Autoland Gwangju' has achieved the remarkable feat of producing over 500,000 vehicles for two consecutive years. It is a strong pillar of Gwangju's economy. Seeing it firsthand, I can feel the determination and commitment to innovation at Kia Autoland Gwangju to turn crises into opportunities. Gwangju City will do its utmost to help achieve the goal of surpassing 500,000 units for a third consecutive year."