Hyundai To Produce Transmissions For Kia And Itself

Acording to the U.S. Autonews, Hyundai will commence production of transmissions for Kia cars.

“This is because half of the production will be going to (Kia’s Slovak assembly plant in) Zilina,” said Petr Vanek, spokesman for Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech in Nosovice.

Hyundai chose an eastern Czech Republic site 85km north of sister brand Kia’s plant to share a supplier base and to allow the accompanying powertrain plants to specialize.

Hyundai will build transmissions for itself and Kia.

Kia will build engines for both plants in Zilina, which opened in December 2006.

Next month, Hyundai will start installing production equipment in Nosovice, starting with the transmission shop.

Hyundai plans to complete the transmission shop in March 2008, start trial production in June, and regular production in October, said Vanek.

Hyundai expects to complete the stamping, welding, assembly and other production sections in April, followed by the paint shop in May.

The lower-medium Hyundai i30 hatchback is the first model that will be built at Nosovice. Test production is scheduled to start in July 2008 with serial production beginning March 9, 2009.

Hyundai says construction is on schedule.

“It is a brilliant achievement if we keep in mind a fact that the first pillar was erected on April 18,” said Vanek.

The exterior walls and roofing is already in place for much of the new complex.

By September 1, Hyundai calculated that it was 99 percent finished with the walls and roof of the future press shop.

Construction of the welding, paint, assembly and transmission shops is progressing, but less advanced. Total built-up area at the site will be 263,000 square meters.

Hyundai to start with transmissions in the Czech Republic