Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi on Thursday inaugurated the new Waldorf Auto Service Centre in San Gwann.
Spread over five floors with a total workforce of 54, the building is a centralised area housing two storeys for storage space and stocked cars.
The workshop is on the ground floor used mainly for servicing and repairs. The body shop on the first floor carries out panel beating and spray-painting, and the top floor is for pre-delivery inspection and Waxoyle treatments.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Dr Gonzi stressed the importance of restructuring and complimented Meridian Enterprises for playing their part in upgrading their facilities to meet all EU requirements.
Hyundai Motors Europe president Kwang Heum Um flew over to Malta for the occasion. Mr Heum said that Hyundai wanted to become a customer focused brand.
"Our belief is that by complimenting excellent products with supreme service at the highest levels, we will move ahead to become one of the leading brands in the automobile world," he said.
"I am sure that customers who bring their cars to this service centre will not only receive best possible care, but a service that will exceed their expectations," he said.
Meridian Enterprises managing director Francesca Mamo said that with the adoption of the Block Exemption Regulations on Malta's accession to the EU, Meridian Enterprises acted quickly to conform with a new set of regulations that regulate all servicing and sales outlets.
"These premises are also designed according to the highest Hyundai corporate identity standards. These standards cover not only the aesthetic aspect but also the operating procedures, tooling requirements, staffing and training levels, and competence requirements."
Hyundai's goal is that of becoming global Top 5 by 2010. Across Europe, for the first six months of the year, cumulative sales reached 175,700 units. Hyundai's market share improve from 1.8 per cent in 2003 to over two per cent and have a forcast of 350,000 unit sales this year - an increase of more than 20 per cent.
"Our company has built a very strong reputation in the after sales field, which is one of the main contributing factors that has rendered the Hyundai brand one of the best selling brands on the island," Ms Mamo said.
In April Meridian Enterprises received the "Award for Excellence" at the European Dealer Convention in Stockholm for their outstanding contribution to the overall sales of Hyundai.
Following an introductory speech, Meridian Enterprises chairman Professor John Mamo presented the prime minister with a football in the Hyundai colours, commenting on the long-standing relationship between the two since the time when they played for the same class team as students.