Hyundai, Kia to speed up platform sharing to enhance competitiveness

SEOUL, May 17 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. said Sunday they
will speed up automotive platform sharing to cut research and development (R&D)
costs and improve overall competitiveness.
South Korea's two largest carmakers said the plan calls for building six basic
platforms for all vehicles made by the companies by 2012.
At present the two companies use a combined 18 different platforms to make 32
models. Of these, six are shared to make different vehicles like Hyundai's Avante
(sold in the U.S. as the Elantra) and Kia's Forte.
Platforms refer to the underbody and suspension, the former making up the front
floor, underfloor, engine compartment and frame. It also includes the wheelbase
and steering mechanism.
Sharing platforms has been common since the 1960s, as such measures can reduce
costs for initial development and production, improve inventory management and
facilitate globalization of operations.
"With a single platform becoming the base for several vehicles, most of the
global players in the car industry are moving to share and maximize use of this
key production base," a Hyundai executive said.
He added that platform sharing permits companies to churn out more models at a
faster pace. In 2002, Hyundai used 22 different platforms, none of them shared by
separate models.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
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