Hyundai’s Nošovice plant continues its successful performance from the previous year. In the first quarter alone, a total of 87,200 vehicles were produced—1,500 more than originally planned. By mid-April, the plant had surpassed the milestone of 100,000 vehicles produced in 2024. Electrified models—hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles—now account for over 35% of total production. This year’s production target is set at 330,890 vehicles.
The past few weeks have brought several key updates to production. At the end of March, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) launched serial production of the facelifted Tucson, including its hybrid version. A few days later, the plug-in hybrid variant also entered production. On Monday, April 15, the enhanced version of another Nošovice staple—the i30—began rolling off the line. Together, the Tucson and i30 represent over 85% of HMMC’s output. Both models rank among the most popular cars for Czech families and are consistently placed in the TOP 10 best-selling cars in the Czech Republic.
HMMC employees played a critical role in the preparatory stages for the facelifted Tucson—the most sought-after Hyundai model in Europe. They are increasingly taking full responsibility for the readiness of production lines and the final phases of preparation for new models. The new Tucson underwent nearly 1,000,000 kilometers of endurance testing on European roads throughout its development. It was tested under extreme winter conditions in Sweden and Finland above the Arctic Circle and faced high-altitude mountain roads in the Austrian Alps, fully loaded and towing a trailer. Its handling and agility were assessed on Germany’s unrestricted-speed autobahns. The advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) were tested in a wide range of countries, including the Czech Republic, Italy, Slovakia, Denmark, and Belgium.
The current generation of the Tucson has been produced in Nošovice since 2020. To date, over three-quarters of a million units have been built—more than one-third of them as hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions. Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom are the largest buyers, with many vehicles also exported to countries in the Middle East and Near East. The Czech pricing for the facelifted Tucson is expected to be announced in early May.
As for the i30, this marks the second update of the current generation of this popular model, which remains available as a hatchback, wagon, and the stylish Fastback (product details for the refreshed i30 are available on the website of Hyundai Czech Republic). The i30 has been in production in Nošovice since the plant’s launch in 2008. Since then, approximately 1.33 million units of this model line—now in its third generation—have been produced.
There have also been changes in HMMC’s top management. Since April, Martin Klíčník, previously the head of the production sub-division, has become the very first Czech head of a division at HMMC. He now leads the Production Division, which encompasses all production departments (press shop, welding shop, paint shop, final assembly), the Maintenance Department, as well as the Production Planning and Control Department.
“I greatly appreciate the trust placed in me and I’m confident that, thanks to the excellent team I have the honor to work with, we will continue to enhance our car plant’s reputation across all production parameters and ensure maximum customer satisfaction in both volume and quality of our vehicles,” said Martin Klíčník, outlining his main priorities. “We will focus on automation and renovation – our plant has been operating for over 15 years, which makes these steps essential. In the area of electrification, HMMC must respond to long-term plans in line with EU measures and adjust production lines so we can increase our electric vehicle output. This also involves staff training, logistics improvements, and cost reduction to maintain our competitiveness. The involvement of our employees in the development and preparation of new models will continue to grow, and key topics will also include efficiency and digitalization,” added the new head of the Production Division.
Martin Klíčník is one of HMMC’s longest-serving employees. He joined the company in 2007 in the Quality Control Department. In 2009, he was appointed head of the assembly quality control section, three years later became head of the Quality Control Department, then in 2019 head of the Quality Sub-Division, and in September 2022, he took over as head of the Production Sub-Division.
