Hyundai to shift production of i20 to Europe

Seoul, May 8: The Hyundai Motor India has reportedly decided to shift the production of one of its premium models 'i20' to Europe.

"Hyundai Motor is considering moving production of the i20 to Europe because about 90 pc of them are being shipped there," company sources said.

A report in the Financial Times however states that the decision came in the wake of a strike by a section of permanent workers at Hyundai Motor India plant in Chennai. However, company sources refused to comment on this.

Employees of Hyundai's factory in Chennai were on a hunger strike. The workers were demanding recognition of the employee union, formed in 2007. They also demanding charter includes, re-instatement of dismissed employees, hiking basic wages and reducing the performance-linked pay component in employee salaries.

"Because of these problems, we cannot keep up with targets and hence some production will shift to one of our facilities in Europe," Rajiv Mitra of Hyundai Motor India was quoted as telling the daily.

This Hyundai vehicle is built on an all-new platform and is designed taking into consideration the European tastes in both style and ride.

The fresh premium, five-door, hatchback model got its design from the Hyundai's European Car Design Centre in Russelsheim, Germany.

ANI