Massive Kia Engine Theft: 900 Engines Go Missing in Penukonda

Insiders Suspected in 900 Kia Engine Theft at Andhra Plant

As many as 900 engines of Kia cars were allegedly pilfered in Sri Sathyasai district in five years, leading the South Korean auto firm to file a police complaint, an official told a news agency on Tuesday. Kia has a car factory in Penukonda, Sri Sathyasai district, where the police suspect the engine pilferage started around five years ago. The company properly made a complaint on March 19. 

Years-Long Probe into Massive Kia Engine Theft in Penukonda

A sustained inquiry into a gargantuan theft of 900 engines from a factory in Penukonda, Tamil Nadu, commenced in 2020 and has been on for almost half a decade.

The probe is targeting the former as well as current company staff, and insiders are reported to be the suspects. Theft was suspected to have taken place during transportation to the factory as well as within the factory.

Located in the Rayalaseema region in the Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh and based at Penukonda, Kia's plant produces cars such as Sonet, Seltos, Carens, and Syros.

Apart from this, this plant also produces the new Carnival on CKD kits. This facility has a current annual production capacity of 3.5 lakh units, which the company is expanding to 4 lakh units by FY25 end.

Police Believe Existing and Former Staff Colluded in Massive Kia Engine Heist

Investigation has brought to light that engines were being stolen in phased and planned form. Penukonda DSP Y. Venkateswarulu asserts that certain insiders are taking part in engine theft.

He suspects that connivance must have taken place between some existing and former staff members. Police officials further noted that the modus operandi was not evident as of now. Additionally, investigation and detention of suspects will give more information regarding the case.

Initially, the police assumed the robberies could have been committed during transit when the engines were being moved from Tamil Nadu, presumably by Hyundai, to Kia's plant at Penukonda.

But latest investigations have shown that the engines were, in fact, stolen from inside the Penukonda plant itself, with books being fudged to conceal the act. Kia Motors India has not given out detailed information regarding the case, but the company has revealed that the theft has had no impact on its production level at all.

Conclusion

A five-year probe into the theft of 900 Kia engines from their Penukonda plant indicates insider complicity and fake records, but production is unaffected.