SHAH ALAM: South Korean carmaker Kia Corp has expanded its presence in Malaysia with the grand opening of its Asia Pacific training centre in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.
This marks Kia's fifth global training hub, following those in Germany, Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
The expansion, which also serves as the regional headquarters for Kia Asia Pacific, reflects the group's confidence in Malaysia as a key hub in the region.
According to Kia, the new centre is poised to lead the way in fostering a culture of innovation and exemplary service throughout the Asia Pacific region.
The centre will provide automotive training to the staff of subsidiaries and distributors, covering both sales and aftersales, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed for the evolving automotive industry.
Kia Asia Pacific president and chief executive officer Kevin Ahn said the training centre aligns with the group's philosophy of fostering a customer-centric and people-focused culture.
"This training centre represents our commitment to continuous improvements, ensuring we deliver top-quality service that exceeds customer expectations.
"Malaysia was selected out of our 34 markets in Asia Pacific for its strategic location, allowing us to meet the evolving needs of the industry while keeping our teams at the forefront of technological advancements.
"Malaysia's diverse talent pool and strong language proficiency further affirm it as the ideal choice for our training hub," he said at the launch here today.
The training centre offers a range of advanced facilities. This includes high-tech display classrooms for theoretical teaching, full-fledged workshops for practical sessions, a computerised resource centre for Kia vehicle information, virtual repair simulators and specialised tools such as Kia diagnostic equipment.
The latest Kia flagship models including EV6 and EV9, and upcoming models such as EV5 and EV3 are also available for hands-on training.
Its advanced facilities and training methodologies mirror the global standards set by its parent company, Hyundai Motor Group.
Located next to the training centre is the Kia 3S flagship centre, providing trainees with direct exposure to real-world scenarios to enhance their learning experience.
Upon completion of the training programmes, participants will receive certification from Kia Asia Pacific, validating their skills and expertise within Kia's global networks.
The training centre can accommodate up to 80 trainees at a time, providing an optimal learning environment with personalised attention and interactive experiences for all participants.
Kia aims to train up to 3,000 people annually to support all 34 countries within the Asia Pacific region.
As the facility is set to elevate automotive expertise and innovation, Kia expects to foster a new generation of skilled professionals who will contribute to its success in Asia Pacific.
The group said it is well-positioned to deliver exceptional service and value to its customers, with Malaysia now a key player in Kia's global training network