Hyundai breaks ground on new EV and battery plant in Georgia

MANILA: Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) LLC conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for its new manufacturing facility at the Bryan County Mega site.

The ceremony was graced by Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, company officials, and state and local officials.

The groundbreaking on site was followed by a future technology expo at Enmarket Arena in Savannah where HMGMA presented “advanced technology and extraordinary human achievement” with a series of exhibits for hundreds of community members in attendance.

Five months ago, the company and its affiliated suppliers declared a $5.54-billion investment that includes plans to build a new battery production plant as well as a variety of cutting-edge Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia electric vehicles. Over the next few years, HMGMA will add more than 8,100 jobs as it works to develop a reliable supply chain for electric vehicle batteries and other electric vehicle parts in the US market. Commercial production is anticipated to start at HMGMA's new smart factory in the first half of 2025.

“Hyundai and the people of Georgia share many qualities: respect for our histories, ingenuity, creativity, and determination to make the world better for the next generation. Today, our EVs are recognized as best in class, and with this partnership, we are determined to be the global leader in electrification, safety, quality, and sustainability. With the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, we will continue to evolve beyond an automaker to the world’s leading mobility solutions provider,” Chung stated.

“With more Georgians working than ever before, record jobs and investment coming to all parts of our state, and award-winning workforce development programs and infrastructure, the Peach State's economy is reaching new heights,” Kemp said. “Our partnership with Hyundai Motor Group and the groundbreaking of this innovative facility exemplifies that unprecedented success. With a long-term commitment to improving lives and livelihoods, we look forward to continuing this partnership and seeing its impact on both this community and our state as a whole.”

Non-affiliated HMGMA suppliers are expected to invest around $1 billion in line with the project in other locations.

With the new facility, Hyundai Motor Group will take the lead in the US automotive industry's shift to electric vehicles. The Group is stepping up its electrification initiatives with a global target of selling 3.23 million fully electric vehicles annually by 2030. The Group plans to set up a global electric vehicle production network in order to reach this target, guaranteeing a consistent supply of electric vehicles worldwide.

The Group aims to continue to be one of the top three electric vehicle suppliers in the US with the additional electric vehicle and battery manufacturing capacity. The Group intends to lead the electric vehicle market in terms of design, technologies, and mobility solutions that are fitting for the electric mobility age. The investment supports the US government's goal to speed up the adoption of electric vehicles as international OEMs are expressing intentions to expand electric vehicle production there. An initiative launched by the US government last year calls for zero-emission vehicle sales to represent at least 50% of all new vehicle sales by OEMs by 2030.

The new facility will feature a highly automated, flexible, and interconnected production system that naturally integrates every component of the electric vehicle ecosystem in order to generate customer value. The Georgia site will be developed into a high-tech production facility. AI and data will be used to optimize every aspect of production, including order collection, procurement, shipping, and production. The innovative production system will also help establish a human-centered workplace with robots aiding human workers.

The facility will mainly depend on renewable energy sources to power the facility as part of the Group's commitment to sustainability, and it will use emission-reduction technology to comply with the RE100 requirements.

In addition to their commitment to generating new job opportunities in Georgia, Hyundai Motor Group also announced new connections with the local economy that would improve the health of nearby communities through their corporate social responsibility programs. The total amount of donations so far is $1.54 million.

Photos from Hyundai Motor Group

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