"Hyundai Motor's New US Plant Groundbreaking Ceremony: Set to Become a Top-Tier Electric Vehicle Maker"

Held on the 25th in Bryan County, Georgia, USA
Targeting construction start next year and operation in early 2025
"Progress for humanity, the optimal location and partner"

On the 25th (local time), Hyundai Motor Group held a groundbreaking ceremony for the electric vehicle-only factory, "Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA)," in Bryan County, Georgia, USA. Key figures attending the ceremony are seen breaking ground to mark the start of the factory construction. From the left in the photo: Jose Munoz, Hyundai Motor Global Chief Operating Officer; Yoon Seung-kyu, Head of Kia North America Division; Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company; Cho Tae-yong, Ambassador to the United States; Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group; Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia; Buddy Carter, U.S. House Representative; Raphael Warnock, U.S. Senator; Jon Ossoff, U.S. Senator; Don Graves, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Hyundai Motor Group held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new electric vehicle (EV)-dedicated plant on the 25th (local time) in Bryan County, Georgia, USA. The new plant, named ‘Metaplant,’ will have an annual production capacity of 300,000 units. Construction will begin in earnest next year, with operations starting in the first half of 2025. It will play a key role in the electrification transition.

According to the company, this plant will produce electric vehicles for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. This is the first such plant at the Hyundai Motor Group level. By flexibly producing various models, it will be possible to quickly respond to local customer demand.

The new plant is close to Hyundai Motor Group’s existing plants in the U.S.?Alabama (Hyundai) and Georgia (Kia)?enabling economies of scale in parts procurement and supply chain management. It is located 510 km from the Hyundai plant and 420 km from the Kia plant, approximately a 5-hour and 4-hour drive, respectively.

Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun is speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new U.S. plant held on the 25th (local time).

Hyundai Motor Group plans to operate this as a future-oriented innovative plant by introducing a manufacturing innovation platform developed at its Singapore Global Innovation Center for the first time at this plant. This platform features a demand-driven artificial intelligence (AI)-based intelligent control system and eco-friendly low-carbon construction methods aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and RE100 (100% renewable energy use).

Robots will work alongside humans to reduce work intensity, and even if issues arise during the process, they can be resolved remotely without direct visits. The company named it Metaplant to signify handling mobility beyond just simple automobiles. A joint battery plant with a battery company will also be built nearby. This will be the first battery cell plant directly operated by Hyundai Motor Group.

Chairman Chung Eui-sun said, "We have found the optimal location and partners to realize our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity.’ We will make the new plant a world-class EV production facility admired globally."

Jang Jae-hoon, President of Hyundai Motor Company, is speaking at the second part of the groundbreaking ceremony for the new factory held on the 25th (local time).