KACHARAGADLA

State officials had worked patiently for over a year to make this happen South Korea’s second largest carmaker,  Kia   Motors, will end its five-year evaluation on India entry when the company signs a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the   Andhra Pradesh   (AP) government later this month for setting up a factory. State officials had worked patiently for over a year to make this happen. Kia and the AP government have moved swiftly on the follow-up action after a final decision was taken. The state government had issued orders for acquisition of 600 acres for the proposed manufacturing hub just a day after Kia’s team met chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on April 12. The government proceeded with the acquisition only after Kia officials were satisfied with the site, after making two-three visits to Penukonda in Anantapur district, sources said.  The site is located on national highway around 120 km from Bengaluru. Senior officials of the Andhra industries depar

Hyundai Motor  Company’s sister concern   Kia Motors   is all set to establish its first Indian manufacturing facility in   Andhra Pradesh   as the state government has initiated the process for   acquisition   of land meant for the company’s operations. Recent reports cited Sri City as the possible location in AP for its close proximity to Tamil Nadu, which is the base for Hyundai Motors’ manufacturing operations and its vendor ecosystem. However, Kia has chosen a place that is closer to Bengaluru city. In its orders issued on Thursday, the AP government has directed the Anantapur district collector to acquire 600 acres in Erramanchi village near Penukonda on the national highway connecting Bengaluru for an “industrial park”. Sources told Business Standard that the acquisition was meant for Kia’s upcoming manufacturing facility. The government has even mentioned the survey numbers of the land having a total extent of 599.38 acres for the acquisition besides fixing