Published: 19:40, February 10, 2020 | Updated: 08:05, June 6, 2023
Hyundai, Kia to gradually resume South Korea output
By Reuters

Workers assemble Beijing Hyundai Motor Co cars on the production line of the the company's plant in Beijing, China, on March 15, 2013. (TOMOHIRO OHSUMI / BLOOMBERG)

SEOUL - Hyundai Motor and sister firm Kia Motors will gradually increase production in South Korea from Feb. 11, the companies said in a statement on Monday.

Earlier on Monday, Hyundai Motor’s union spokesman said most of the automaker’s plants in South Korea were expected to resume production between Feb 11 and Feb 17

Hyundai last week became the first global automaker to suspend production outside China due to the coronavirus outbreak disrupting parts supply from China.

Earlier on Monday, Hyundai Motor’s union spokesman said that suppliers had resumed production in China on Monday and most of the automaker’s plants in South Korea were expected to resume production between Feb 11 and Feb 17.

READ MORE: Hyundai halts S. Korea output as virus causes parts shortage

“The (automakers’ South Korean) facilities will be flexibly operated in line with parts supply status,” the companies’ statement said.

A Kia official said earlier that the automaker had suspended most production at its three car plants in South Korea on Monday due to a shortage of parts.

Most of the production at Kia’s Gwangju and Sohari factories will be suspended on Monday and Tuesday, the official said, adding the company will monitor the availability of auto parts in order to determine whether to resume production after that.

ALSO READ: Turning S. Korea's Hyundai Motor into agile global player

Kia’s Hwaseong factory halted output on Monday and is expected to resume production on Tuesday, he said.