Russian Hyundai Plant to Launch Kia Production, Third Shift in August

VIENNA – The Hyundai Motor Mfg. Rus plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, which launched serial production of Hyundai cars in January, will add a Kia model in mid-August.

Currently, the factory manufactures the Hyundai Solaris, the Russian version of the new Accent/Verna, as a 4-door subcompact sedan and 5-door hatchback.

HMMR, which is owned 30% by Korean-sibling Kia, will add serial production of its first Kia model Aug. 15.

Kia initially considered about 100 names, but in the end decided on the existing name of Rio for its future Russian-made model. Plans call for production of some 20,000 Rio units this year and about 100,000 in 2012.

The plant will add a third shift on Aug. 15 and as of mid-August will have about 2,100 employees on its payroll.

The third shift will increase the factory’s capacity to 13,000 units a month.

HHMR built some 48,000 Hyundai Solaris cars in the year’s first half.

While only offered since February on the Russian market, the Solaris already is successful. It currently outsells all other models offered by foreign auto makers in the country.

The Solaris was the best-selling car in Russia among foreign brands for the third consecutive month, with deliveries of 10,833 units in June. Only AvtoVAZ’s Lada models are sold in larger volumes.

HMMR plans to produce about 105,000 Hyundai and Kia cars this year and 200,000 units in 2012.

Korean-based Hyundai currently is ranked No.4 among Russia’s best-selling brands, behind Lada, Chevrolet and Renault. The auto maker sold 73,813 cars and light-commercial vehicles through June, up 91.5% from like-2010.

Kia, in fifth place, saw its 6-month sales jump 59.4% to 72,901 units.