Hyundai, Kia thriving in current earthquake-affected car market

(April 17, 2011) While Toyota, Honda and Nissan are cutting back production, and several other automakers including the Big Three U.S. companies have been forced to trim production because of parts shortages from earthquake-ravaged Japan, Hyundai and Kia are moving full speed ahead.

The South Korean automakers are taking full advantage of the situation building as many cars as possible.

Hyundai and Kia are running full shifts at their U.S. plants with overtime, unscathed by parts shortages that are curbing output for Japan-based competitors.

Hyundai's plant in Montgomery, Ala., aims to squeeze out 10 percent more Sonata and Elantra sedans this year than its 300,000-unit capacity, said Robert Burns, a spokesman for the factory.

About 80 miles east, Kia's plant in West Point, Ga., has run extended weekday shifts and Saturday work since last year and expects that to continue for the foreseeable future, said Corinne Hodges, a spokeswoman for Kia.

"We've been fortunate," Burns said. "Our parts development team is closely monitoring all our suppliers, but at this point there's been no disruption."

Sourse: Media reports