Beijing Hyundai to make Hyundai i30 in late 2008

Shanghai, May 27 (Gasgoo.com) To reach this year's production and sales targets, Beijing Hyundai will make another new model of Hyundai in addition to the heavyweight model Elantra in the second half of 2008. Sources said that the Hyundai i30 hatchback for the European market will be made in the second plant of the joint venture later this year.

The Hyundai i30 is a hatchback model with a 2,650mm wheelbase and shares most parts with Kia Cee'd. It is powered by six engines for choice, including the gasoline versions (1.4L 109hp, 1.6L 122hp, 2.0L 143hp) and the diesel versions (1.6L 90hp, 1,6L 115hp, 2.0L 140hp). In safety, all models have driver, passenger and curtain airbags, traction and stability control and finally ABS with EBD. The car is well equipped with even the basic Comfort trim boasting alloys, CD player and air conditioning.

When its construction is completed later this year, the second plant of Beijing Hyundai will have an anuual capacity of 300,000 vehicles. The JV aims to sell 100,000 Elantra cars in 2008 and this means the new plant's capacity will be used for the production of another new Hyundai model to compete with the newly launched Buick Excelle and 2008 Ford Focus. Making the Hyundai i30 hatchbacks for the customers from ordinary families will be a good choice for Beijing Hyundai to boost its sales figures.   

Beijing Hyundai is a 50:50 joint venture founded in 2002 by Hyundai Motor Co and Beijing Automotive Holdings. In 2007, Beijing Hyundai sold 231,137 vehicles in the Chinese market, including 120,333 Elantra, 44,729 Tucson, 26,665 Accent, 25,528 Sonata and 799 Sonata Yuxiang vehicles.