Employees at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Russia plant in St. Petersburg are gradually returning from their rest periods as production activities prepare to restart. The initial workday at the facility was scheduled for January 9, 2024, according to a Telegram channel named Autostream and its cited source.
Hyundai Motor, based in St. Petersburg, has disclosed that it decided to transfer ownership of the local factory to Art-Finance LLC, a Russian company. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov noted that Art-Finance, together with its industrial partners, is examining options for an early resumption of automobile production at the plant. Hyundai Motor reaffirmed its commitment to warranty coverage and service maintenance for vehicles sold in Russia, ensuring continued support for customers during the transition.
The St. Petersburg plant has operated since 2010 and possesses a production capacity equivalent to about 200,000 vehicles each year. Prior to the suspension of production in March 2022, the facility manufactured models including the Hyundai Creta and Solaris, alongside the Kia Rio and Rio X-Line. The announcement of a potential restart reflects ongoing discussions about domestic manufacturing and automotive supply chains in Russia.
In a related development, Avilon previously declined to proceed with acquiring the Russian Hyundai facility, a decision that influenced the subsequent restructuring and ownership considerations surrounding the plant. The shift in ownership and the effort to restart production form part of broader efforts to stabilize automotive manufacturing within the region and preserve jobs while adapting to evolving market and regulatory conditions.