Kia Motors is to invest $4.58m in the development of a 14,000-square-metre site at Malabe in Sri Lanka, which will become a fully-fledged logistics centre. It will incorporate a showroom, a fully equipped vehicle care centre and centralised stores, and will accommodate vehicles brought into Sri Lanka from the port of Hambantota for PDI, polishing and ultimate showroom delivery.

Last year the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to the decision to route all car carriers through Hambantota port because of long berth delays at the port of Colombo.

The Kia centre will be located on the main road, allowing vehicles to easily access the highway.

This is one of a number of logistics centres planned by the company in Sri Lanka according to the company.