Hyundai Kia Motors Resumes Production at US Plant... Hyundai Motors India Plant Also to Reopen

Published 04 May.2020 16:06(KST)

Kia Motors' India and Mexico Plants Continue Shutdown

Hyundai Motor Alabama Plant (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] Hyundai Kia Motors' factories in the United States and India, which had closed due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will resume production. On the other hand, Kia Motors' Mexico plant and others will extend their shutdown periods.

According to Hyundai Kia Motors, Hyundai Motor's Alabama plant and Kia Motors' Georgia plant in the U.S. will restart operations on the 4th (local time). The Hyundai Alabama plant will reopen after 47 days since it shut down on March 18 due to a COVID-19 case confirmed in one employee. The Kia Georgia plant, which receives engines from the Alabama plant, stopped operations on March 19-20, resumed once, but then halted production again for over a month starting from the end of March.

For now, Hyundai Kia Motors plans to resume production on this day but will operate the plants flexibly depending on local conditions.

The Alabama plant produces the Avante, Sonata, and Santa Fe models. It shipped a total of 335,500 vehicles last year alone. The Georgia plant assembles the K5, Sorento, and Telluride, producing 274,000 vehicles last year.

The Hyundai Chennai plant in India will also resume production within this week. Although India's lockdown measures continue until the 17th, the Chennai plant qualifies under the economic activity permissions set by the Indian government and has received approval to restart operations. However, Kia Motors' Andhra Pradesh plant in India will continue its closure.

On the other hand, Kia Motors' Mexico plant will extend its shutdown. Production has already been halted for nearly a month since the 6th of last month, but the extension was decided in accordance with the Mexican government's policy.