Share

Hyundai blames strike as profit hits 7-year-low

South Korea - Hyundai's third-quarter profit fell to its lowest level in nearly seven years, well below forecasts, due to a strike that dented production and weak demand in emerging markets.

South Korea's largest automaker said its July-September earnings fell 10% from a year earlier to $937-million.

That was the lowest profit since the first quarter of 2010, when Hyundai adopted international financial reporting standards.

Falling globally

Analysts had forecast 1.3 trillion won in earnings according to FactSet, a financial data provider.

Hyundai, part of the world's fifth-largest auto group, said its sales in January-September declined 2% from the year before to 3.5 million units, falling both at home and overseas.

It blamed production disruptions from a strike. Workers walked out during annual wage negotiations for 212 hours from July and September, disrupting manufacturing of about 95 000 vehicles.

Modest demand in Europe and the United States and sluggish sales in Brazil and Russia offset sales growth in China, Hyundai said.

Hyundai, the maker of Sonata and Genesis sedans, has been struggling to increase its production of sports utility vehicles that have seen growing demand around the world. It also has launched the Genesis luxury sedan as an independent brand to boost its brand image and profit margin.

But the company's market share in South Korea has been falling. Quality issues also have marred its reputation at home and abroad.

Yonhap news agency reported Tuesday that Hyundai is cutting salaries of 1,000 of its executives by 10% starting this month.

Third-quarter sales fell 6% to 22.1 trillion won ($19.5 billion), the company said. Operating income sank 30% to 1.07 trillion won ($944 million), also the lowest in nearly seven years.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()