Public sector Hyundai and Kia are returning to our market under a new brand and with different names. All the equipment is the same, only the emblems and nameplates have been replaced.
Solaris is now not a sedan from the Korean company Hyundai, but a separate brand created specifically for Russia. Under this brand, Hyundai Solaris itself is now produced in St. Petersburg, as well as Hyundai Creta, Kia Rio and Kia Rio X. Their new names are Solaris HS, Solaris HC, Solaris KRS and Solaris KRX, respectively. Well, the former Hyundai plant in St. Petersburg is now called AGR Automobile Plant LLC and belongs to AGR LLC, the former Volkswagen Group Rus LLC. The resumption of production of Hyundai-Kia public sector cars with a different emblem and nameplates was announced in February, and now the AGR Automobile Plant has begun shipping Solaris brand cars to dealers. And the first model to appear in showrooms will be the HS sedan.
Let us remind you that cars of the new brand are produced in a full production cycle. “The enterprise has modern industrial equipment installed. The total number of robots exceeds 240 units. Experienced and qualified specialists work on the production line of the plant. The total number of employees of the company is about 800 people, many of them have been working at the plant for more than 10 years,” said the press service of AGR Automobile Plant LLC. The warranty for Solaris brand cars will be 3 years or 100,000 km.
Solaris HS
As for the four-door, as before, it will be available with 1.4 naturally aspirated petrol ( 100 hp) and 1.6 (123 hp) in combination with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Solaris HS will be offered in Active Plus, Comfort, Elegance and Sportline trim levels.
It is reported that Solaris HS sedans will reach dealers of AGR LLC “in the very near future,” but prices are not official yet never named. Meanwhile, the cars have already appeared on the websites of some sellers. For example, one of the Moscow dealers offered a Solaris HS with a 1.6 (manual or automatic transmission) for 2,110,000 — 2,410,000 rubles; a sedan with a junior 1.4 engine and an automatic transmission costs from 2,170,000 rubles. However, it is better to wait for the official release with prices.