Hyundai Ups Production In Europe To Meet Demand

Hyundai is increasing its output 20% to 300,000 units this year at its plant in Nosovice, Czech Republic, to meet strong demand for its new i30 model line. When combined with a production doubling to 200,000 units at its plant in Izmit, Turkey, Hyundai will have capacity to make a half million cars in Europe by the end of 2013. Hyundai’s big gains in production and new-car sales come as mass-market rivals from France and Italy have been forced to halt output at their Europe plants for days at a time to adjust to weak demand in Europe, which is headed toward its fifth-consecutive year of declining overall sales.The i30 wagon, which was unveiled at the 2012 Geneva auto show, will account for about 30% of the 115,000 i30 variants Hyundai plans to make this year for Europe. The car’s five-door hatchback variant will account for the other 70% of the model line’s production.