Kia may buy Chinese steel for domestic production

SEOUL, April 25 (Reuters) - Kia Motors Corp (000270.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), South Korea's No.2 auto maker, may consider importing steel from China for car production in South Korea, a company executive said on Friday.

"We have no reason not to buy Chinese steel if prices are reasonable and quality is good," Ahn Hee-bong, Kia's executive vice president, told reporters after the company announced stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings.

On Thursday, its affiliate Hyundai Motor Co (005380.KS: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), the country's top car maker, said it might consider buying steel from China to cope with rising raw material prices. (Reporting by Cheon Jong-woo; Editing by Edmund Klamann)