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One Of The Most Mysterious Episodes In The Automotive Industry Came To Light With The Disappearance Of 900 Engines From A Factory. High-Value Parts Vanished Without A Trace
An end-of-year audit conducted in March 2025 revealed an unusual theft at Kia Motors’ factory in India. In total, 900 automotive engines disappeared from the automaker’s facilities.
The most curious thing is that the crime was not committed all at once, but over the course of five years. The case only came to light now, leaving a mystery in the air.
Employees Under Suspicion
Indian police believe that the theft was organized in a planned and gradual manner. According to the deputy superintendent of police in Penukonda, Venkateswarulu, there is strong evidence of the involvement of employees from the company itself.
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“We suspect that there was collusion among some former and current employees“, he stated.
The investigation is still in the preliminary phase, but the main hypothesis involves an internal scheme with manipulation of records.
Automotive Engines Disappeared From The Factory
Initially, the suspicion was that the automotive engines had been diverted during transport between the states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
However, the investigation indicated that the engines were taken directly from Kia’s factory.
The company, according to authorities, had its records tampered with to cover up the removal of the parts.
Production Continues Unaffected
Kia’s factory in India was inaugurated in December 2019 and produces between 300,000 and 400,000 vehicles per year. Despite the theft, the company stated that production was not affected.
The automaker preferred not to make further statements, citing the ongoing police investigation.
Investigation Advances, But Mystery Remains
Three police teams have been formed to investigate the case. They are traveling across the country in search of documents and evidence. The police superintendent of the Sri Sathya Sai district, Rathna, stated that the investigation is progressing. But one question remains unanswered: where are the 900 stolen engines?
Kia remains silent as the police try to unravel one of the most unusual industrial thefts in recent years.
With information from Economic Times.
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