Hyundai Motor Shuts Down Alabama Plant for a Week Due to Semiconductor Supply Shortage

Kia Georgia Plant Also Switches from 3 Shifts to 2 Shifts for 8 Days

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] Amid the prolonged shortage of automotive semiconductors, Hyundai Motor's Alabama plant in the United States will halt operations for a week starting from the 14th of this month (local time).

According to Hyundai Motor on the 14th, the Alabama plant will suspend operations from the 14th to the 18th due to semiconductor parts supply issues.

While new vehicle production will be stopped, the engine shop team and the delivery team responsible for sending finished vehicles to dealerships nationwide will continue normal operations to support Kia's Georgia plant.

The Alabama plant is scheduled to resume normal operations on the 21st of this month but will halt production again for two weeks starting from the 26th. This is due to the annual factory maintenance scheduled from June 26 to July 11, coinciding with the U.S. Independence Day holiday (July 4). Workers will receive paid leave during this period.

Roberts Burns, spokesperson for Hyundai Motor's Alabama plant, said in an interview with local media WSFA TV, "Most automobile manufacturers are experiencing a shortage of automotive semiconductors," and added, "We decided to halt operations because we could not secure the necessary semiconductor supply for vehicle production." He also stated, "The plant will resume normal operations from the 12th of next month once sufficient semiconductor supply is secured."

Kia's Georgia plant is also facing a shortage of semiconductor supply. The Georgia plant will operate on a two-shift schedule instead of the usual three shifts for eight days from the 14th to the 23rd of this month. Previously, the Georgia plant had halted operations on the 27th and 28th of last month.