Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp, company officials and state and local leaders officially broke ground Oct. 25 on Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) LLC's new manufacturing plant at the Bryan County Mega site.
The celebration included a morning groundbreaking on site, followed by a future technology expo at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA, where the company highlighted "advanced technology and extraordinary human achievement" with a wide array of exhibits for hundreds of attendees from the community in attendance.
The $5.54 billion investment by the company and its affiliate suppliers was announced five months ago and includes plans to produce a diverse range of innovative Hyundai, Genesis and Kia EVs and a new battery manufacturing facility.
HMGMA will create more than 8,100 jobs over the next few years as the company aims to establish a stable supply chain for EV battery and other EV components in the U.S. market.
HMGMA's new smart factory is expected to begin commercial production 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," said Chung. "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."
"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," said Kemp. "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."
Approximately $1 billion is anticipated to be invested by non-affiliated HMGMA suppliers in connection with the project in other locations.
Hyundai Motor Group to Lead U.S. Electrified Mobility Industry
Hyundai Motor Group will be a leader in the U.S. auto market's EV transition with the new facility. The Group is accelerating its electrification efforts with the global target to sell 3.23 million full electric vehicles annually by 2030. To realize this goal, the Group plans to establish a global EV production network that will ensure a stable supply of EVs around the globe.
With the additional EV and battery production capabilities in the U.S., the Group aims to maintain its position as one of the top three EV providers in the U.S. The Group plans to lead the EV market not just in sales, but also in terms of design, technologies and mobility solutions optimized for the electric mobility era.
The investment is in line with the U.S. government's roadmap to accelerate electrification, as global OEMs are announcing plans to expand their local EV production in the U.S. Last year, the U.S. government announced a new initiative under which sales of zero-emission vehicles should account for at least half of OEM's new vehicle sales by 2030.
Showcasing the Future of Group's Smart Manufacturing: Intelligent, Sustainable and Data-driven
The new plant will boast a highly connected, automated and flexible manufacturing system, which organically connects all elements of the EV ecosystem to realize customer value. The Georgia facility will become an intelligent manufacturing plant. All processes of production---order collection, procurement, logistics and production---will be optimized using AI and data. The innovative manufacturing system will also help create a human-centered work environment with robots assisting human workers.
As part of the Group's commitment to sustainability, the plant will primarily rely on renewable energy sources to power the facility and use emission-reduction technologies to meet the RE100 requirements.
HMG Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
In addition to their commitment to creating new jobs and opportunities in Georgia, HMG celebrated and announced new connections with the local economy that will enrich the health of local communities through their corporate social responsibility programs. Donations to date total $1.54 million.
Hyundai and Genesis Donations
Hyundai and Genesis, along with its various social responsibility initiatives and nonprofit organizations, have donated $940,000 to local organizations. This includes programs through Hyundai Hope and Genesis Gives, which have previously collectively committed $120,000 to nearly 10 organizations supporting local communities in and around Bryan County.
New initiatives include:
- Hyundai presented Georgia Tech, a leading technological research university, with a $120,000 donation to provide scholarships in STEM areas. For the next four years, two $15,000 scholarships will be awarded to eligible students.
- Hyundai Hope On Wheels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes and treatments for children diagnosed with cancer, presented $500,000 Hyundai Scholar Hope and Young Investigator Grants to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta to continue its long-standing fight against pediatric cancer. Since 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels has pledged $200 million in support of more than 1,100 childhood cancer research grants.
- Genesis Inspiration Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to improving educational outcomes for children through the arts, presented donations totaling $200,000 to two Georgia-based nonprofit organizations, drawchange and Paint Love. Genesis Inspiration Foundation has donated nearly $5 million to fund youth arts programming since its inception in 2018.
Kia Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
Kia's Corporate Social Responsibility program, Accelerate the Good, aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and seeks to inspire human potential, spark innovation and champion sustainability in U.S. communities. As part of Kia's commitment to the Bryan County community, Kia's Accelerate the Good program will donate $600,000 to help local youth realize their hopes and dreams.
This includes:
- Family Promise of the Coastal Empire received $300,000 for housing homeless families that recently lost their homes and purchasing homes for them.
- America's Second Harvest of GA received $100,000 to establish after-school programs where low-income children can eat and receive tutoring.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital received $100,000 to pay travel expenses for pediatric cancer care at St. Jude in Memphis, TN.
- Inspiredu received $100,000 to support low-income children with technology and resources to facilitate learning.
Source: Hyundai Motor Group
