Robotic machines weld bodies of Kia cars in its factory in Zilina, 200 kilometres north of Bratislava October 3, 2012. Carmakers that cut costs last decade in Western Europe like Volkswagen, or those who were never saddled with expensive factories there, such as Korea’s Hyundai and Kia, are now investing in new designs, conquering new markets and ramping up production. Between them, VW Group, Mercedes, Kia and Hyundai have raised their share of the European market to 35.5 percent in the eight months to end August 2012, from 30 percent in the same period of 2010. Up the road in the foothills of Slovakia’s Fatra mountains, the most modern factory owned by Korean carmaker Kia Motors looks set to beat its production goal of 285,000 SUVs, compact and family cars. Picture taken October 3, 2012. To match Insight AUTOS-CENTRALEUROPE/ REUTERS/Petr Josek (SLOVAKIA – Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS EMPLOYMENT) – RTR397AY