Prague - South Korean carmaker Hyundai started production at a new factory in the Czech Republic Monday.

The new company in Nosovice, which lies about 320 kilometres east of Prague, is expected to produce about 200,000 vehicles annually, Radio Prague reported.

About 1.1 billion euros (1.41 billion dollars) has been invested in the factory, which should employ about 3,000. The factory will initially do finishing work on production of the i30, a compact car designed for European markets.

Hyundai, along with its subsidiary Kia, is one of the world's 10 biggest automakers. (dpa)