Hyundai Motor’s Czech factory reaches milestone

Hyundai Motor said yesterday the number of vehicles produced at its factory in the Czech Republic surpassed the one-million mark this week. The nation’s largest automaker said its factory in Nosovice reached the landmark in just five years. Hyundai established the Czech factory in September 2009 after investing 1.12 billion euros ($1.44 billion) in two million square meters (494.2 acres) of land.

The plant has an annual production capacity of 330,000 units and rolls out i30 compact cars and Tucson ix sport utility vehicles. It has been operating on a three shift system since September 2011 to boost production.

Hyundai said its Czech plant has been providing firm support for its success in Europe. In 2008, Hyundai only had 1.8 percent of the market share in Europe, but in the first quarter of this year, this figure had jumped to 3.5 percent, according to the carmaker.