The car brand building more capability opens in Russia
It seems there’s no stopping the global reach of Hyundai.
The Korean brand, the world’s fifth-largest car maker, has now opened yet again another state-of-the-art manufacturing
plant, this time in Russia.
It’s Hyundai’s sixth factory outside Korea, and its most modern.
The plant will build the all-new Accent (called Solaris in Russia), a small sedan employing Hyundai’s legendary and
eye-catching fluidic-sculpture design plus innovative features to meet Russia’s demanding climate. The highly
anticipated model will come to New Zealand later this year.
“This is an historic occasion for Hyundai as it’s the first foreign auto-maker to operate a full-cycle manufacturing
plant in Russia,” explained the Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai New Zealand, Tom Ruddenklau.
“It employs 1,300 workers, many of them trained by Hyundai in South Korea and the Czech Republic. By next year Hyundai
expects to have created 5,300 jobs together with the flow-on effects of 11 outside parts suppliers in Russia.
“It reflects Hyundai’s powerful growth worldwide, as it produces still more award-winning vehicles to meet increasing
consumer demand,” said Mr Ruddenklau.
The Russian plant will produce 105,000 vehicles this and 150,000 a year from then on. Hyundai sold approximately 3.6
million vehicles globally last year.
The new plant is equipped with the latest assembly technology, providing a high level of automation in the production
process. At several stations, for example, 85 percent of the welding is automated.
Hyundai also has overseas manufacturing facilities in China, India, the United States, Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Hyundai began construction of a third plant in China late last year and plans to break ground later this year on a plant
in Brazil.
The new Accent / Solaris is powered by Hyundai’s Gamma engine, delivering superior horsepower, torque and fuel
efficiency in a compact, lightweight package, delivering on Hyundai’s pledge to be the global leader in eco-friendly
vehicles.
ENDS