Friday, August 20, 2010

Hyundai seeks more output, 50 mpg by '25

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Hyundai Motor America may expand output at its Alabama assembly plant as it remains on track to exceed total U.S. vehicle sales of 500,000 for the first time, CEO John Krafcik said.

That would be a gain of 15 percent from 435,064 sales in 2009. Hyundai's high is about 467,000 in 2008.

During a speech here last week at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars, Krafcik also said Hyundai's entire U.S. lineup will achieve an average of 50 mpg by 2025, and he unveiled a marketing push tied to pediatric cancer research and awareness.

Hyundai expects to announce a plan to increase U.S. production within the next month, Krafcik said.

Hyundai's plant in Montgomery, Ala., which makes the Sonata sedan and Santa Fe crossover, is running at maximum overtime and struggles to meet demand, Krafcik said. He declined to say what shape the new U.S. production would take.

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