Kia Motors Gives No Reason to Suspend Production @ U.S. Plant

“Media report says fire hit parts supplier

* Sorento, Santa Fe SUVs could see production losses -analyst

* Kia says sees little impact on sales

SEOUL, March 19 (Reuters) – South Korean carmaker Kia Motors said on Monday that it would suspend production at its U.S. plant on Monday and Tuesday, after media reported said a fire broke out at a parts supplier.

The news sent shares in Kia and parent Hyundai Motor down on concerns about possible output disruptions.

Kia’s U.S. plant in Georgia, with an annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles, produces the Optima sedan, the Sorento SUV and Hyundai Motor’s Santa Fe SUV.

A South Korean media report said on Monday that a fire had struck a Georgia factory operated by Daehan Solution, an unlisted South Korean parts supplier for Kia. An official at Daehan Solution declined to comment…”

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