To Enhance Global Competitiveness
The Hyundai Motor Group will upgrade its vehicle platforms to enhance its global competitiveness and production efficiency. At the same time, it is going to produce more eco-friendly electric vehicles and pursue a higher quality.
In its recent investor relations meetings in the U.S., Europe and Asia, the group announced that its third-generation integrated platforms would be put into operation next year to improve cost structure. The new platforms for a component sharing of at least 90% are expected to result in lower component unit, logistics and labor costs.
The group had 10 platforms until 2005. In 2008, it reduced the number to six by launching its first-generation integrated platforms. In 2013, the integrated platforms for small, midsize and large sedans, compact cars, SUVs and coupes were refined into the second-generation.
The third-generation platforms are to focus more on compact cars and luxury RWD cars. Specifically, the six platforms will be used for micro compact cars, small to midsize cars, midsize to large cars, midsize RWD cars, large RWD cars, and compact cars. The platform overhaul is likely to set the stage for electric vehicle manufacturing as well.
Such integrated platforms enable production of various models based on standardized base structures and make production more flexible for a more timely response to market changes. Volkswagen initiated platform sharing in as early as the 1990s and it currently has six platforms. For instance, the A5 platform is used for about 20 models such as the Volkswagen Golf, the Audi A3 and the C-segment cars of Skoda and SEAT. The Volkswagen Group’s platform communization reaches 86%.