Russian Hyundai Coming?

[unit731]

Lyle Frink

Automotive News Europe

June 6, 2008 12:27 CET

 

 

Hyundai started construction of its assembly plant in St. Petersburg, Russia on Thursday, June 5.

 

The Korean automaker expects the plant will start assembling cars in December of 2010 and reach full speed by the end of 2011. The factory will have a production capacity of 100,000 units.

 

"Hyundai Motor's new Russian plant, our sixth overseas production base, will strategically play a central role in Hyundai's expansion in the CIS nations and eastern Europe," Byung-kee Suh, Hyundai Motor's vice chairman of quality assurance, said in a press release.

 

Hyundai will start by assembling small- to mid-size models. The Korean automaker expects the new plant will directly employ 1,700 people on the assembly line with another 2,200 people working at suppliers. The plant is being built on a 2 million square meter area, with a built-up area of 83,000 square meters.

 

Cars from the new plant will supplement imports from Korea and licensed kit production at the Taganrog Automobile Plant (TagAZ) in Russia.

 

Hyundai sales are growing fast in Russia. Last year the automaker sold 147,843 units, a 47 percent increase from 2006. This year, sales are expected to increase 35 percent to 200,000 units.

[Draenor]

The 'foreign' car makers are pretty bright in where they build for distribution. The strategically place their plants within the market. Fortunately, these will not make it here.