Russian Hyundai Plant in St. Petersburg: Production Details and Brand Ambitions
The Hyundai factory in Russia continues to produce Korean models, including the Hyundai Solaris and Kia Rio. This information comes from a Telegram channel named Russian car, which cites its own sources. The report suggests that the plant could assemble vehicles under a different brand in the future.
On the ground at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Rus plant in St. Petersburg, the site is reported to be rolling out about six to eight vehicles daily. The cars leaving the line carry the original Hyundai and Kia nameplates, also referred to as tags inside the factory, as per the message from the source.
There are insiders who claim that beyond Hyundai and Kia, the St. Petersburg facility holds rights to another brand. The name mentioned by these sources is Solaris, and there are indications that production under this brand could take place at the site.
The outlook is described as speculative in nature, albeit supported by some insider chatter from the XMMR plant. This has been noted by observers in the Russian automotive community as a potential development rather than a confirmed plan at present.
The Hyundai plant has operated in St. Petersburg since 2010, with a production capacity that once allowed for as many as 200 thousand vehicles a year. In March 2022, production paused due to component shortages, leaving a portion of the workforce idle. Before the disruption, the plant produced models including Kia Rio, Rio X-Line, Hyundai Creta, and Solaris.
Recent reports indicate that Hyundai Motor decided in December 2023 to sell a stake in the St. Petersburg facility through its subsidiary Art-Finance LLC at the St. Petersburg site. Despite these changes in corporate arrangements, Hyundai Motor has reaffirmed its commitments to warranty support and ongoing service maintenance for vehicles in Russia, as confirmed by the head of Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, Denis Manturov.
These developments come amid broader industry notes, with reminders that other manufacturers have faced disruptions as well. Earlier reports highlighted Suzuki suspending its operations at its Hungarian plant. The evolving situation at the St. Petersburg site continues to attract attention from industry observers and market participants alike.
In summary, the facility remains a key Russian production asset for Hyundai and Kia, with ongoing discussions about additional branding and potential brand diversification. Observers urge cautious interpretation, noting that official statements from Hyundai and its Russian affiliates are necessary before drawing firm conclusions about future branding or output volumes. These nuances matter for suppliers, investors, and car buyers tracking the Russian automotive landscape. Attribution: Russian Automobile and industry observers corroborate these points with insider briefings.