Hyundai reopened its manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Ala., on Monday, and corporate sibling Kia did the same in West Point, Ga., with both automakers keeping the plants to a single shift for now as they adjusted to supply chains affected by the coronavirus and new safety procedures.
One reason for the slow start at the Hyundai plant was so that team members could validate new safety protocols and make adjustments as necessary, a spokesman said. The plant had been closed since March 18, when a worker tested positive for the coronavirus.
Another consideration in opening with a single shift was parts availability, the spokesman said. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama makes the Sonata midsize sedan, the Elantra compact sedan and the Santa Fe midsize crossover.
One state over in Georgia, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia reopened its doors to workers making the Telluride three-row crossover, the midsize Sorento crossover and the Optima sedan. The plant had been closed since March…
