Fastest Selling Tuscon Drives Success of Factory

Since its launch in late 2015 the All-New Tucson has become the fastest-selling Hyundai in UK and across Europe. With orders in excess of 10,000 in the UK and 85,000 in Europe, the new compact SUV ensures the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) factory is working at peak capacity.

Tony Whitehorn, President & CEO, Hyundai Motor UK said: “The All-New Tucson has now overtaken the award-winning i10 as the fastest-selling Hyundai model launch in the UK. Our Czech plant plays a key role in our business enabling us to fulfil high demand.”

Mass-production started in November 2008 with the first-generation Hyundai i30 and has gone from strength to strength. In that time over 1.8 million cars have been made, with many exported to 60 markets around the world.

Factory capacity allows production of an incredible 300,000 cars and 600,000 transmissions each year. It also offers considerable employment opportunities with 3,400 workers employed directly, with most of them from the Czech Republic.

Ten facts about car production at HMMC

• Mass-production started in November 2008 with a Hyundai i30
• Over 1.8 million cars have rolled off the production lines since November 2008
• Over 700,000 compact SUVs built in the past 5 years
• Annual production capacity is 300,000 cars and 600,000 transmissions
• A cross-functional team of 80 engineers adapted the production line to introduce All-New Tucson
• Total car production process takes 21 hours with almost half of that are spent on painting - mainly due to drying time.
• Three different models –Tucson, i30, ix20 – are produced on the same production line
• Each car body structure consists of 17 individual panels stamped from 0.7 mm-thick sheet steel
• Over 400 industrial robots are used, including 300 in the welding shop
• A dynamic test of all cars is conducted on the 3.3 km long track on site

By Tracey McBain