Hyundai, Kia boost overseas output by 24 pct last year

SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Yonhap) -- Leading South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Corp. and
subsidiary Kia Motors Co. boosted their overseas output by 24 percent from the
previous year, an industry association said Wednesday.

The two companies' combined global production topped 1.44 million units in 2008,
compared with 1.16 million units a year ago, the Korea Automobile Manufacturers
Association said.
Hyundai Motor produced 1.1 million units at its overseas plants last year, up 21
percent from a year earlier, with Kia Motors' overseas production rising 35.7
percent to 340,172 units.
Production at Hyundai Motor's factory in India increased 40.4 percent on-year to
475,352 units in 2008, while output at Kia Motors' plant in Slovakia rose 39
percent to 201,507 units.
Output at Hyundai Motors' U.S. plant, however, fell 5.4 percent annually to
236,975 units last year. Production at its plant in Turkey also dropped 10
percent to 80,960 units.
Total output by South Korea's automakers fell 6.3 percent on-year to 3.8 million
units last year as vehicle demand dried up due to the global economic downturn,
the association said.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
(END)