Hyundai dealership in Houston, Texas/ AFP-Yonhap

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SEOUL, March 28 (AJP) - Hyundai Motor Group has formally inaugurated its newest manufacturing facility in the United States , establishing an annual production capacity of 1 million vehicles across its American operations.

The new plant, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), is located in Ellabell, Georgia, and is the centerpiece of the South Korean automaker’s ambitious strategy to expand its footprint in the U.S. electric vehicle market.

The $8 billion facility, which spans more than 11.7 million square meters is designed to produce 300,000 electric and hybrid vehicles annually. It joins existing Hyundai and Kia plants in Montgomery, Ala., and West Point, Ga., which have respective capacities of 360,000 and 340,000 vehicles per year.

“We are not simply here to build a factory. We are here to put down roots,” said Chung Eui-sun, Hyundai Motor Group’s chairman, addressing attendees at the opening ceremony. “We don't just invest in technology and cars. Above all, we invest in relationships.”

In addition to full vehicle assembly, the Ellabell site will include component production facilities and a joint venture for battery cell manufacturing, reinforcing Hyundai’s efforts to localize its electric vehicle supply chain in response to U.S. policy incentives favoring domestic production.

The company also announced plans to expand the Georgia plant’s output by 200,000 units with the construction of an additional facility adjacent to the current site.

Once the expansion is complete, Hyundai’s total U.S. production capacity will rise to 1.2 million vehicles annually. That would enable the company to manufacture approximately 70 percent of its American sales volume domestically. Hyundai and its affiliates sold 1.71 million vehicles in the United States last year.

Industry analysts view Hyundai’s manufacturing expansion as a strategic move that strengthens its ability to compete with American auto giants as the electric vehicle market continues to evolve.
Candice Kim 수습기자 candicekim1121@ajupress.com

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