New Delhi, Sep 20 (IANS) Hyundai Motor Company chairman Chung Mong Koo Wednesday met President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Prime Minster Manmohan Singh and discussed the growing Indian auto market as well as his company's plans for the country.

In his meeting with the prime minister, Chung shared Hyundai's investment plans for India and said the company was setting up a second plant with a capacity of 300,000 cars per annum as part of the Korean company's global plans.

Hyundai will also set up an engine and transmission plant as well as a research and development centre in India, the Hyundai chairman said. "These investments will take the Indian automotive industry a giant step forward," he said in a statement later.

"The second plant and the new research and development centre will increase the production and sales of Hyundai Motors in India and also change the face of the company in India making it now a comprehensive automotive manufacturer."

According to Chung, many global automakers from Europe, America and Japan were increasing their investments in India.

"We solicit the support of the Indian government not only for Hyundai Motors but also for other Korean vendors who are keen to invest. This will help to attract more Korean investment in the country, benefiting both countries," he said.

During his meeting with Kalam, the Hyundai chairman hoped that the highway connecting Chennai, where Hyundai has its factory, and Bangalore would be completed soon and said he wanted to make India a hub for his company's exports.

Chung also discussed the possibility of a railway connection to the Sipcot industrial area and a car port in Tamil Nadu, which, he said, would help Hyundai and other companies to improve business logistics in the state.

Hyundai has rolled out a million cars in India since it set up its facility 90 months ago and is also the largest exporter of passenger cars from the country - worth over Rs.18 billion ($400 million).