Third Shift to Boost Hyundai Output to 345,000

Hyundai says it will add a third shift at its Montgomery, AL, plant, which should bring total output this year to 345,000, WardsAuto learns.

The factory, established with a 300,000-unit annual capacity, is home to the hot-selling Elantra compact and Sonata midsize passenger cars. Adding the third shift equates to 20,000 additional units beyond the 325,000 Hyundai planned to build there this year, plant spokesman Robert Burns says.

Hyundai has struggled to meet demand for both sedans, but last year it was able to squeeze 330,000 units out of Montgomery on two shifts with overtime and adjustments to line speed.

The third shift at the Alabama plant is expected to start in September, with hiring for 877 positions taking place this summer.

Burns says Montgomery now is building 1,360 cars a day on two, 10-hour shifts Monday through Friday, and is working some Saturdays.

Sales of domestically built Elantras jumped 36.8% in the first quarter, while deliveries of the Sonata, exclusively sourced for the U.S. from Montgomery, rose 6.4%.

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