Hyundai begins production at new Russian plant

Hyundai Motor Company, the fifth-largest automaker by sales in Russia, officially began production at its plant in Saint Petersburg, the company’s sixth and most modern overseas assembly plant. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Russia (HMMR) will make the Solaris sedan, which features Hyundai’s eye-catching fluidic-sculpture design and innovative features to meet Russia’s demanding climate. “This is a historic moment, not only for Hyundai, but for Russia, as we are the first foreign automaker to operate a full-cycle manufacturing plant here,” said Gui-Il Chun, general director of HMMR, a fully-owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company. The plant currently employs more than 1,300 workers, many of whom were trained at Hyundai factories in Korea and the Czech Republic. HMMR is equipped with the latest assembly technology, providing a high level of automation in the production process. At several stations, for example, 85% of the welding is automated. The plant’s annual capacity is 150,000 vehicles, while this year’s production target is 105,000 units. (January 19, 2011)