Per inside sources, Hyundai is planning to increase SUV production in the United States in an effort to capture more consumers amid low fuel prices.
Reuters reports the automaker’s sales of the Elantra and Sonata have slowed as some consumers in the U.S. spend their money on SUVs and crossovers, prompting the company’s shift toward more SUVs. The expansion would come in the form of a new assembly line in Alabama, augmenting the line in Kia’s Georgia facility where the Santa Fe is assembled, and exports of the Tucson from Hyundai’s factories in South Korea.
Korea Investment & Securities auto analyst Suh Sung-moon adds that, aside from Hyundai’s need for a second U.S. plant, Santa Fe production could be moved to Alabama, with the Tucson and a truck — possibly in the vein of the Santa Cruz concept from the 2015 Detroit Auto Show — joining the former. Overall production is expected to be 300,000 units annually, with the first vehicles to leave the line in 2017.
Sounds like the Santa Cruz is getting closer to reality
Agreed.
Hyundai has always had a problem making enough CUVs for the US. On my lot currently there are fewer than 10 Santa Fe Sports and Tucson’s combined, with zero Santa Fe’s. But we have 70+ each of Sonatas and Elantras, and a lifetime supply of the outgoing 2015 Hybrid.
The Santa Fe is currently made at the Kia plant in Georgia with the Optima and Sorento. Hyundai makes only Sonatas and Elantras in Alabama
So are Santa Fe Sport (short wheelbase 5 passenger) made on the same assembly line as long wheelbase 3 row Santa Fe models?
The long wheelbase Santa Fe comes from Korea, the Sport is made in the US.
Nah! They should have done this earlier. I believe Hyundai SUV is in high demand in US.
Make the pick-up already!!