Hyundai Santa Fe to be built alongside the Kia Sorento in Georgia

Hyundai and Kia are like brother and sister – so who else better to help you out in a time of need other than your sibling? Hyundai said that it will be shifting production of the 2011 Santa Fe to Kia’s Georgia plant, which already builds the Kia Sorento.

The move will free up space at Hyundai’s Montgomery, Alabama plant to increase production of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, which currently faces high demand.

Kia said today that “limited production ” of the 2011 Santa Fe crossover will start on Sept. 27. It said that on October 1 a second shift will be added to support the additional volume.

Sales of the Sonata were up 48 percent during the first half of 2010. Hyundai sold a total of 89,249 Sonatas in the first half of 2010 versus 60,481 in the first half of 2009.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Automotive News