Hyundai Motor Co. has said that it aims to roll out 150,000 Sonatas from its new Alabama plant this year. The new facility officially opened Friday, with hundreds of US and Korean dignitaries attending.
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They included former U.S. President George Bush, Alabama Gov. Bob Riley of Alabama, Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, Thomas Hubbard, former U.S. ambassador to Korea, J. D. Power III, chairman of the marketing information provider, U.S. Senator Richard Shelby.
“Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama is a powerful example of what can be achieved when city, state and federal governments work with businesses,” said Chairman Chung Mong-koo of Hyundai Motor Group in his speech on Friday.
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama aims to reach annual production of 300,000 cars – Sonatas and Santa Fe sport-utility vehicles – beginning next year.
In response to reporters’ question on plans to expand production facilities of the Alabama plant, Bob Cosmai, president of Hyundai Motor America, said it is too early to say.
The current facilities cover only 2.7 percent of the 1,744-acre site.
Hyundai wants the new plant to produce 150,000 units of its 2006 Sonatas this year.
Hyundai Motor President Choi Jae-kook said that the affiliate Kia Motors Corp.’s Slovakian production plant, which is slated for completion early 2007, may build Hyundai’s Tucson SUVs as well.
“It is just a tentative plan as of yet,” added Choi.
