Savannah, Georgia – Hyundai has begun building electric SUVs in Georgia, less than two years after breaking construction on its huge $7.6 billion manufacturing facility west of Savannah.
Hyundai’s Georgia factory enjoyed an “employee-focused celebration” Thursday when its first commercial EV rolled off the assembly line, according to Bianca Johnson, spokesperson for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, in a statement sent to The Associated Press on Monday.
“After validating its production processes to ensure its vehicles meet Hyundai Motor Group’s high quality standards, HMGMA has started initial production of customer vehicles ahead of schedule,” Johnson announced.
Hyundai Has Begun Producing Electric SUVs At Its $7.6 Billion Plant In Georgia
She stated that the Georgia facility will celebrate its grand inauguration in the first quarter of 2025.
Once the facility is fully operating, the South Korean automaker and battery partner LG Energy Solution intend to employ 8,500 people at the Bryan County location, which is located approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers west of Savannah). Hyundai has stated that it will make up to 300,000 EVs and battery packs in Georgia per year.
Johnson stated that the plant’s car manufacturing facilities have been completed and are staffed by about 1,000 workers. Its battery-making facilities are still under construction.
Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric SUVs will be manufactured in the Georgia plant for the first time in 2025. Johnson stated that the American-made EVs will arrive at dealerships in the United States before the end of the year.
Hyundai broke ground for their Georgia factory in late October 2022. It is the state’s largest economic development initiative to date, with the state and municipal governments providing a total of $2.1 billion in tax exemptions and incentives.
Hyundai Has Begun Producing Electric SUVs At Its $7.6 Billion Plant In Georgia
The Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed in 2022 with features aimed at combating climate change, contains a tax credit of up to $7,500 for EV customers, but only on cars manufactured in North America with domestic batteries. Though Hyundai executives argued that the law was unjust, Hyundai President and Global Chief Operating Officer Jose Munoz said it prompted the carmaker to push for an earlier opening in Georgia.
SOURCE | AP
