The Tucson accounts for 70 percent of production since the Nosovice plant opening in 2008; electrified cars including HEVs, PHEVs and BEVs accounted for nearly 40 percent of production at HMMC so far this year
18 Nov 2022 | 4494 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Following the first millionth unit in 2013, the second in 2016 and the third in 2019, Hyundai Motor is now celebrating another milestone at its Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) plant in Nosovice, Czech Republic. On Monday, November 14, HMMC produced a car with the serial number 4,000,000.
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Following the first millionth unit in 2013, the second in 2016 and the third in 2019, Hyundai Motor is now celebrating another milestone at its Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) plant in Nosovice, Czech Republic. On Monday, November 14, HMMC produced a car with the serial number 4,000,000.
The landmark car was a Hyundai Tucson N Line, outfitted with dynamic equipment and in a mild-hybrid version, produced for customer from Olomouc in the Czech Republic. Despite the pandemic, global supply chain issues and other external influences, HMMC has managed to maintain a high production rate. This year, it expects to produce over 321,000 vehicles, surpassing the ‘pre-pandemic’ year of 2019.
“Our employees and suppliers deserve immense credit for how they have managed to cope with the challenges of the past few years. I am delighted that, thanks to their skills and diligence, we are able to celebrate another significant milestone,” said Cheolseung Baek, President of HMMC. “The Nošovice plant is of great importance to Hyundai Motor Group, and its significance will only grow in the coming years, given the challenges facing the automotive industry.”
Growing number of electrified cars being produced
The four-millionth Hyundai car produced at HMMC reflects the current electrification trend. While the plant exclusively produced ICE models until 2019, in early 2020 it commenced production of the Hyundai Kona Electric, which became the first mass-produced BEV in the Czech Republic.
In mid-2020, production of HEV and PHEV vehicles also began in Nosovice with the fourth-generation Tucson. Meanwhile, the share of cars with diesel engines has declined in recent years, with these models making up only 9 per cent of vehicles produced at HMMC this year.
Electrified cars consisting of EVs including HEVs, PHEVs and BEVs have accounted for nearly 40% of production at HMMC so far this year, and the share of these will continue to grow in the years to come.
Cars produced at HMMC are not only for Europe
More units of the Tucson have been produced at Nosovice than any other Hyundai model, accounting for over 70% of production since the opening of the plant in 2008. The i30 model range, which is available in hatchback, wagon and fastback body types, accounts for around 17% of HMMC’s production, while Kona Electric accounts for a tenth of production. The award-winning i30 N, which is produced as both a hatchback and fastback, accounts for the rest.
Germany remains HMMC's largest customer, with over 14% of models produced so far this year heading there, followed by the UK, Spain and France. Tucson leads the compact SUV segment in Europe this year, building on last year's strong sales results. However, units of Hyundai’s global bestseller produced in Nosovice are also shipped to the Middle East and other parts of the world. So far in 2022, cars from HMMC have been sold to 66 destinations.
“We increased the production line speed from 57 to 65 cars-per-hour in April this year, and we have been able to maintain this even though we have to deal with a difficult global parts supply situation,” said Martin Klícník, Head of HMMC's Production Subdivision. “HMMC is experiencing strong demand for our cars and we are doing our best to satisfy our customers. We are making preparations for new models that will be produced here in the years ahead.”
HMMC production highlights
HMMC's most produced model to date is the third-generation Tucson, with a total of 1,180,445 units produced (29.5% of all cars). A total of 423,274 units of the latest-generation Tucson have been produced in the two years since its launch, up to October 2022.
The Nosovice plant’s best year was 2016, when 358,400 units were produced (246,683 units of the third-generation Tucson, 73,337 units of the second-generation i30, 33,609 units of the ix20, and 4,771 units of the third generation i30). HMMC plans to produce 321,500 units in 2022.
In 2008, 12,473 units were produced (all first-generation i30), while 118,022 units were produced in the first full year of 2009 (111,934 units of i30, 6,088 units of the Kia Venga).