Production of the XM3 SUVs to Be Increased
Renault Korea Motors has decided to ramp up production of the XM3 (export name Renault New Arkana) beginning from July. The plant expands production for the first time in about three years.
The automaker is gearing up to raise the units per hour (UPH) of its Busan plant from 50 to 60 from the beginning of July. The key to the plan is to scale up production of the XM3. It marks the first time since October 2019 that Renault Korea has set an hourly production capacity of 60 units under a day and night shift work system.
The company shared an output expansion plan with the labor union and requested cooperation from unionists. Recently, Renault Korea Motors’ new president Stephane Deblaise had the first and ice-breaking meeting with union leaders.
The XM3 is a sports utility vehicle (SUV) developed through collaboration between Renault Korea Motors and Renault Group. Car experts say that the XM3 is a practical SUV in a coupe-type design. In particular, the XM3 has emerged as Renault Korea’s flagship model. The company started exporting the XM3 to Europe in March 2021. It has thus far exported 77,466 units. All XM3s sold in the world except Russia are produced at Renault Korea Motors’ Busan plant.
Meanwhile, Renault Korea Motors posted an operating loss of 8.1 billion won and a net profit of 16.2 billion won in 2021.