Slovakia, a nation of 5.4 million people, has become the world's leading car producer per capita, manufacturing nearly a million cars annually. This transformation is driven by significant investments from global automotive giants like Kia, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and soon Volvo, attracted by lower labor costs, a skilled workforce, and strategic location.

• Kia's European factory in Zilina alone represents a €2.5 billion investment, employing 3,700 people and producing a car every minute.
• The automotive sector benefits from an extensive network of 360 supplier companies and a strong talent pipeline from local educational institutions.
• The average monthly salary at Kia's Zilina plant is €2,400, significantly higher than Slovakia's national average of €1,403 in 2023, though lower than the EU-wide average of €3,417.
• Slovakia's high rate of low-carbon energy generation makes its electric vehicles eligible for larger government discounts in customer markets, with the UK being the biggest market for Kia cars produced there.