The company said serial production would start at the beginning of May, with output gradually increasing until it reaches the desired level a month later.

The company started an additional night shift in February in preparation for the Clio production and hired 300 agency workers. Another 100 are needed as production is ramped up.

Revoz, which produces the Twingo and the Smart Fourfour, has had problems securing additional staff as the economy has picked up and the labour market has tightened.

It has expanded its search from the immediate Dolenjsko region all the way to Ljubljana and Celje with the help of temping agencies and the Employment Service.

Production of the Clio is seen as crucial for Revoz as it competes for business with Renault's other assembly plants. The company has said it would secure stability over the medium term.

Revoz assembled 133,600 vehicles last year. This year, mostly due to the Clio, the output is expected to rise by 30-40%.

Revoz is a crucial company for the region and also one of Slovenia's biggest exporters.