Huatai Automobile to manufacture Hyundai matrix

Huatai Automobile Group, a Shandong-based automaker specializing in manufacturing SUV, will produce Matrix, a medium-and small-size MPV model of Hyundai Motor Company. 

Matrix, which dropped out of Chinese market because of the termination of its production in South Korea, will return back in the first half of 2008 by the Rongcheng-based partner of Hyundai Motor. It will be the third car model after Santa Fe and Terracan, two SUV models, of Hyundai introduced to Huatai Automobile.

The localized production of Matrix in China will be set in Rongcheng Huatai Automobile Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Huatai Automobile. 1.6L and 1.8L Matrix with standard, simple and luxury versions available in the Chinese factory will be the 06 version, being sold at roughly CNY 100,000.

Matrix will be positioned as a home-use economy MPV model and will see Livina by Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and Premacy by FAW Haima Motor Co., Ltd. as its rivals, says a dealer of Huatai Automobile.