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Hyundai Russian Plant Builds Half-Millionth Car
St. Petersburg-made Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris models are a significant part of both brands’ success in Russia. Kia and Hyundai rank third and fourth, respectively, in the country’s light-vehicle market.
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Solaris accounts for nearly two-thirds of auto maker’s Russia sales.
VIENNA – Hyundai Motor Mfg. Rus, the auto plant based in St. Petersburg, Russia, and owned 70% by Hyundai and 30% by Kia, marks production of its 500,000th car.
The milestone car is a red Hyundai Solaris sedan with an automatic transmission and 1.6L gasoline engine.
HMMR, which launched volume output in January 2011, manufactures Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio subcompact sedans and hatchbacks. The plant produced 224,418 units in 2012 and 113,620 this year through June. Hyundai models comprise about 56% of this year’s mix and Kia, 44%.
The St. Petersburg plant employs more than 2,200 workers, and its suppliers’ workforce exceeds 4,000.
HMMR is the first Russian car plant owned by a foreign auto maker that has its own press shop. Local content currently is 47%.
St. Petersburg-made Kia Rio and Hyundai Solaris models are a significant part of the success both brands are having in Russia. Kia and Hyundai rank third and fourth, respectively, in the country’s light-vehicle market.
Kia sold 111,969 cars in Russia this year through July, up 3.6% from like-2012. Hyundai deliveries inched up 0.7% to 104,221 units in the first seven months.
The Solaris is Russia’s No.2 seller after the market-leading Lada Granta with 66,493 units through July, followed by the Rio in third place with 51,887.
Russian-made Solaris and Rio models also are exported to other Commonwealth of Independent States countries.
In addition to its own plant in St. Petersburg, the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group retains contract assembler Avtotor Holding for the assembly of several models from semi-knocked-down kits.
Avtotor, a long-term partner of Kia, assembles nine models: the cee’d, Soul, Venga, Cerato, Optima, Quoris, Sportage, Sorento and Mohave. The company launched SKD assembly of Hyundai i40 sedans and wagons as well as Equus flagship luxury sedans earlier this year.
Avtotor assembled 59,166 Kia units and the first 2,895 Hyundai cars in first-half 2013.
Hyundai commercial trucks also are built by Avtotor.
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