A Hyundai Steel plant is seen in Dangjin, about 130 km (81 miles) southwest of Seoul, in this June 15, 2011 file picture. About four years ago, Hyundai Motor 005380.KS considered shifting from steel to aluminium body parts for its Genesis sedan to make it lighter, more fuel-efficient and more competitive with German luxury marques, two people familiar with the matter said. Its affiliate Kia Motors 000270.KS made a similar move, building test versions of its premium K9 sedan, called K900 in the United States, using aluminium in body panels including the door, hood and trunk lid, two other people told Reuters. But the South Korean duo, which together rank fifth in global auto sales, opted for steel instead, deterred by the cost and, according to two of those individuals, hamstrung by close ties with sister steelmaker Hyundai Steel Co. To match ASIA-AUTOS/ALUMINIUM REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won/Files (SOUTH KOREA - Tags: BUSINESS TRANSPORT)
