Hyundai Motor America Celebrates Grand Opening of New $17 Million Central Region Headquarters and Parts Distribution Center

Aurora, Ill. and Fountain Valley, Calif., Dec. 3, 2002; Hyundai Motor America (HMA) executives gathered with elected officials in Aurora, Ill. today to celebrate the grand opening of HMA's Central Region Office and Parts Distribution Center. The $17 million, 350,800 square foot facility is the largest build-to-suit project in the I-88 market in the last three years.

The facility was designed using leading-edge material handling concepts to maximize density, efficiency and productivity to provide its dealer customers with world-class levels of service. The new facility has approximately 70,000 part number locations with the capacity to increase an additional 50,000 for future growth. The expanded facility will enable HMA to better serve its growing number of dealers in the Midwest, with more than 320,000 square feet of warehouse space, 26 exterior truck docks, 35-foot ceilings, 30,000 square feet of office space and parking for 150 vehicles.

"This expansion reaffirms our commitment to value and quality service by providing better service to our dealers and customers," said Finbarr O'Neill, Hyundai Motor America president and chief executive officer. "With Hyundai's sales continuing to grow, this expansion will provide improved service to Hyundai customers and dealers in the Midwest."

"We are pleased that Hyundai Motor America is staying and expanding operations in our city," said David L. Stover, mayor of Aurora, Ill. "We congratulate the company on its grand opening and continued success."

HMA sales rose 42 percent last year to 365,235 units from 263,610 in 2000, making Hyundai the fifth-best-selling import in the U.S. Hyundai's Central Region accounted for 20 percent of last year's national sales volume. Over 66,000 vehicles were sold in the Midwest, up 54 percent from last year.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed in the U.S. by Hyundai Motor America and sold and serviced by more than 600 dealers nationwide.