Like it or not, people are buying up crossovers and certain automakers are having problems to keep them in stock. Hyundai is one of those due to production constraints at their various factories. Hyundai Motor America CEO Dave Zuchowski said the compact Tucson would be outselling the Elantra - the automaker's best seller - if it weren't for constraints. But Autoblog has learned about a new plan that Hyundai will be enacting to boost production, along with bringing more crossovers to market.
The first of the plan involves adding production of the Santa Fe Sport to the Montgomery, AL plant. Hyundai has brought in the tooling and soon will be built alongside the Elantra and Sonata. Hyundai says this will add about 50,000 units to the market. (Currently, the Santa Fe Sport is being built at the maxed-out West Point, GA plant). Hyundai will also add about 50,000 extra units to Tucson production.
With the increases in production for certain models, that means something has to be sacrificed. For Hyundai, that will be the Azera full-size sedan. The model has never been a big seller for the brand and having it go away will not only open up space in the showroom for more crossover, it gives a clear separation between Hyundai and Genesis.
Part two will see Hyundai and sister brand, Genesis introduce more crossovers. Hyundai is working on a new subcompact crossover to play catch-up in what is becoming a lucrative market. Genesis meanwhile is working on their own set of crossovers which are expected to come out a few years from now. This is due to Genesis using unique platforms from what Hyundai uses,
Source: Autoblog
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