By Associated Press
Seoul, South Korea – South Korea's Hyundai Motor Company said today it will shut its auto plant in Alabama for 10 days during the fourth quarter amid sluggish demand.
Hyundai's Montgomery plant, which manufactures the mid-size Sonata sedan and the Santa Fe sport utility vehicle, did not open on October 5th and will be closed October 12th and October 19th, with the remaining seven days yet to be scheduled, according to a Hyundai spokesman.
Ki Jin-ho did not say how much the 10-day shutdown will cost the world's sixth-largest carmaker by sales.
Hyundai began producing vehicles at the factory in 2005.
John Kalson, vice president of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, said Hyundai is encouraged by strong sales of the Santa Fe, but said Sonata sales have fallen slightly.
Analysts said sluggish demand for new cars in the U.S. following the subprime mortgage crisis has led carmakers to curtail production in the world's largest automobile market.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)