Kia Motors has reported the theft of 900 vehicle engines from its manufacturing facility near Penukonda in Andhra Pradesh over a five-year period, according to a Times of India report. The missing inventory was identified during a year-end audit in March 2025. A police investigation was initiated following a formal complaint lodged by company management on March 19.
According to law enforcement authorities, the engines were not lost in transit but were allegedly removed from within the plant by tampering with internal records. Penukonda Deputy Superintendent of Police Y Venkateswarulu stated, “Preliminary investigation shows the engines were stolen in a phased and planned manner. It is certain that some insiders are involved. We suspect that there was connivance between some former and present employees.”
The company, which manufactures between 300,000 and 400,000 vehicle units annually at the plant, stated through a spokesperson that production has not been affected by the incident. “The theft hasn’t affected output in any manner,” the spokesperson said.
Sri Sathya Sai district Superintendent of Police V Rathna, who inspected the facility, confirmed that three special teams had been formed to pursue the case and that investigations were ongoing across various locations to collect records.
Authorities noted that further clarity on the method used to transport the engines from the site will depend on the outcome of interrogations with potential suspects.