Hyundai to boost investment for electrification, mobility tech in US

MANILA: Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) is increasing its investment to more than US$10 billion by 2025 to boost its support for mobility electrification, carbon neutrality, and new technologies for manufacturing in the US. 

"We have come a long way and become very successful in a short period of time, but we are also preparing for our future," Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung said, following his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Seoul on May 22. 

 “The group will strengthen our partnership with US public and private entities to offer innovative products and mobility solutions to our valued customers in the US while supporting global carbon neutrality efforts,” added Chung.

Last week, Hyundai Motor Group disclosed a US$5.54-billion plan to establish its first dedicated U.S. EV and battery manufacturing facilities in the State of Georgia, which will build a wide range of innovative electric vehicles for its US customers.

The new facility in Bryan County, Georgia, will break ground in early 2023 and is expected to begin commercial production in the first half of 2025 with an annual capacity of 300,000 units. With the new facility, Hyundai aims to boost its U.S. auto market’s EV transition and the roadmap to be one of top three EV providers in the US by 2026. The carmaker also wants to help grow US innovation and manufacturing. 

The new plant will implement many of HMG’s advanced intelligent manufacturing technologies, boasting a highly connected, automated, and flexible manufacturing system, which organically connects all elements of the EV ecosystem to realize customer value. As part of the Group’s commitment to sustainability, the plant will mainly rely on renewable energy sources to power the facility and use emission-reduction technologies to meet the RE100 requirements.

As one of the global leaders in innovation, HMG has allocated a series of additional expenditure to foster key future businesses such as robotics, advanced air mobility (AAM), autonomous driving, and artificial intelligence (AI). The investment will enable HMG to offer diverse mobility products and services with greater safety and convenience.

For robotics Hyundai has acquired Boston Dynamics, an innovator in the field. Hyundai will push for advancing robotics to enhance people’s lives through a range of mobility solutions. 

HMG is also pioneering driverless technologies and responding to rapid paradigm shift in the automotive industry through Motional, a venture established in Boston jointly with the leading U.S. mobility technology firm Aptiv in 2020. Motional is currently testing its robotaxi service on U.S public roads with an aim to commence commercial service in 2023.

Last year, Hyundai described its AAM vehicle as being "optimized for intra-city operations," which may use the wings of a small airplane and the rotors of a helicopter.

Photos from Hyundai

Also read: Hyundai, Kia join global initiative toward 100% renewable electricity