Hyundai Motor Group Inaugurates New U.S. Plant to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Production!

Hyundai Motor Group has officially inaugurated its new manufacturing facility, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), in Bryan County, Georgia, marking a major milestone in its investment in the U.S. The grand opening event highlights the completion of what is now Georgia’s largest economic development project, just two and a half years after construction began. This facility represents Hyundai’s third manufacturing presence in the United States, alongside its existing plants in Alabama and Georgia, which are operated by Hyundai and Kia, respectively.

Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group, emphasized the importance of the new facility in shaping the future of mobility in the U.S. “HMGMA showcases our advanced manufacturing capabilities and our strong investment in partnerships with local communities in Georgia,” said Chung. “With a rich legacy of craftsmanship here and a skilled workforce at HMGMA, we are shaping the future of mobility in America, for America.”

The grand opening also celebrated the first vehicle production milestone, with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 rolling off the production line on October 3, 2024. This electric vehicle marks the beginning of a new chapter in Hyundai’s U.S. operations. The production of the Hyundai Ioniq 9, a three-row electric SUV, is already underway, and HMGMA plans to begin production of its first Kia model by 2026.

The facility is designed to manufacture both electric and hybrid vehicles for Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia brands. Initially, HMGMA is capable of producing up to 300,000 vehicles annually, but plans are already in place to increase the production capacity to 500,000 units annually, an expansion of 200,000 units from the original plan. The expansion is part of Hyundai’s broader strategy to reinforce its leadership in the electrified vehicle market and strengthen its presence in the rapidly growing U.S. EV sector.

The total investment in Georgia, including HMGMA and Hyundai’s joint battery ventures with LG Energy Solution and SK On, amounts to $12.6 billion, marking the largest investment in the state’s history. This investment is expected to create 8,500 jobs at HMGMA by 2031. The ripple effect of this investment is expected to generate nearly 40,000 direct and indirect jobs, contributing an annual income impact of $4.6 billion, according to the Center for Automotive Research.

As of July 2024, suppliers supporting HMGMA have already committed over $2.5 billion in capital investment across 12 counties in Georgia, resulting in approximately 6,900 jobs. With a total investment of $20.5 billion in the U.S. to date, Hyundai recently announced an additional $21 billion investment between 2025 and 2028, a move designed to increase the Group’s annual production capacity to 1.2 million vehicles in the U.S.

HMGMA is Hyundai’s first dedicated facility for mass-producing electrified vehicles. This state-of-the-art facility integrates cutting-edge technology and a highly connected, automated, and adaptable manufacturing system designed to seamlessly link every component of the electric vehicle and hybrid ecosystem. The aim is to deliver exceptional value to customers while driving significant efficiencies in production processes.

The Georgia-based facility serves as an intelligent manufacturing hub, where all stages of production—ranging from order collection and procurement to logistics and assembly—are optimized using artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. The use of these technologies not only drives efficiency but also creates a human-centered work environment, where robots collaborate with human workers to enhance productivity and safety.

The opening of HMGMA underscores Hyundai’s long-term commitment to the sustainable development of the automotive industry in the U.S. With a robust focus on green technology and energy-efficient manufacturing, Hyundai aims to lead the way in the transition to cleaner mobility solutions. The facility is set to play a crucial role in advancing Hyundai’s electrification strategy in North America, contributing to the company’s global efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions.

The establishment of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Georgia is not just a significant investment in manufacturing infrastructure but also a key step in the company’s strategy to revolutionize the U.S. automotive industry. As Hyundai ramps up its efforts to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles, HMGMA will be at the forefront of this transition, blending advanced manufacturing techniques with cutting-edge sustainability practices to produce the next generation of vehicles for the North American market.