Annual Production of 300,000 Units on a Site Four Times the Size of Yeouido in Georgia
Integrated Production System for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis
Mixed Production Introduced... Hybrid Models to Be Produced Next Year
Future Mobility Cluster Linking Affiliates, Joint Ventures, and Partners
Chairman Chung Euisun: "We Will Open the Future of Mobility"
Hyundai Motor Group has established a cutting-edge manufacturing innovation hub in the United States, the world's largest automobile market. With a site area four times the size of Yeouido, this strategic production base is expected to drive global growth in automobile manufacturing, not only in the U.S. but worldwide.
Once the production system reaches one million units in the U.S., Hyundai Motor Group will solidify its position as a top-tier automaker in the country. This will strengthen economic cooperation between Korea and the U.S. beyond regional boundaries and contribute to the sustainable growth of both nations.
On the 26th (local time), Hyundai Motor Group held the completion ceremony for 'Hyundai Motor Group Meta Plant America (HMGMA)' located in Ellabell, Georgia, USA. About 500 people attended, including Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, Vice Chairman Jang Jae-hoon, Hyundai Motor CEO Jose Munoz, Kia CEO Song Ho-sung, HMGMA executives and employees, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, U.S. Congressman Buddy Carter, Georgia Tech President ?ngel Cabrera, and Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong to the U.S.
In his welcoming speech, Chairman Chung emphasized, "HMGMA represents a value beyond innovative manufacturing capabilities. What we focus on is the future of mobility, and it is here that we will open that future together."
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said, "HMGMA is the result of long preparation, and I am deeply impressed by Hyundai Motor Group's swift decisions and execution capabilities. Georgia will support Hyundai Motor Group's innovation based on excellent universities, workforce development programs, logistics, and infrastructure that made this project possible." Governor Kemp added to the celebration by personally signing an Ioniq 5 produced at HMGMA.
Assembly scene of Hyundai Motor Group Meta Plant America (HMGMA) Ioniq 5 (Provided by Hyundai Motor)
At the entrance of the event venue, Hyundai Motor Alabama Plant (HMMA), Kia Georgia Plant (KaGA), and electrified models produced at HMGMA such as the GV70, EV9, and Ioniq 5 were displayed. Boston Dynamics' quadruped robot Spot assisted with guidance, highlighting the organic cooperation of Hyundai Motor Group's U.S. production network and local subsidiaries.
Before the completion ceremony, key attendees including Governor Brian Kemp toured the production line from the press shop to the assembly line with Chairman Chung, showing great interest in the human-centered manufacturing process harmonized with robotics.
HMGMA is a software-defined factory (SDF) that realizes manufacturing innovation through automated manufacturing technology, intelligence, and flexibility. It embodies Hyundai Motor Group's commitment to implementing future mobility through flexible and free collaboration by connecting AI, robotics, and humans based on data within a human-centered manufacturing environment.
In particular, the name 'Meta Plant' combines 'Meta,' meaning transcendence, and 'Plant,' referring to a production base, symbolizing the ambition to transcend current limits and become a center of new creativity. Hyundai Motor Group has also designated HMGMA workers as 'Metapros.'
Hyundai Motor Group decided in October 2022 to build HMGMA, its third production base in the U.S., as a smart factory based on advanced technology with an annual capacity of 300,000 units and began construction. Production of the Ioniq 5 started in October last year, and mass production of Hyundai's electrified flagship SUV model, the Ioniq 9, began this month. Kia models are scheduled to be added next year, and the production lineup will be expanded to include Genesis vehicles in the future.
Especially, by introducing a mixed production system, Hyundai plans to add hybrid models next year in addition to electric vehicles, meeting the diverse eco-friendly vehicle demands of U.S. consumers.
With the completion of HMGMA, Hyundai Motor Group has established a production system capable of producing one million vehicles annually in the U.S. This achievement comes 20 years after launching its first plant in Alabama in 2005 and challenging local production. Additionally, Hyundai plans to invest a total of $8.6 billion by 2028 to increase capacity by 200,000 units, expanding to 1.2 million units.
The total site area of HMGMA is 11.76 million square meters (approximately 3.55 million pyeong), about four times the size of Yeouido. The site includes a complete vehicle production plant with press, body, painting, and assembly lines, as well as affiliated companies producing key vehicle components and a joint battery cell factory. Together with nearby domestic suppliers that provide parts to HMGMA, an 'advanced future vehicle cluster' has been formed.
Affiliates such as Hyundai Mobis, Hyundai Glovis, Hyundai Steel, and Hyundai Transys also operate factories on the site. Hyundai Mobis produces and supplies battery systems and parts modules for 300,000 vehicles annually, making it the largest overseas production base for Hyundai Mobis.
Hyundai Glovis operates an integrated logistics center and a pre-delivery vehicle management center on the site. Autonomous flying drones monitor parts inventory in real-time and predict parts quantities based on demand data to supply parts promptly.
Hyundai Steel processes and supplies automotive steel sheets made of ultra-high-strength steel at the Georgia Steel Service Center on site. Currently, it can supply steel for 200,000 vehicles annually, with plans to expand capacity to 400,000 vehicles.
Hyundai Transys procures 420,000 seats and seat frames, key automotive components, annually.
The joint battery cell factory between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution is also under construction on the site, aiming for completion next year. With an annual capacity of 30 GWh, it can supply batteries for approximately 360,000 Ioniq 5 vehicles.
Additionally, HMGMA is driving the entry and sales expansion of domestic parts suppliers in the U.S., providing new opportunities for global expansion of partner companies. Located about 420 km from Kia's Georgia plant and about 510 km from Hyundai Motor's Alabama plant, it is expected to secure stable supply sources for parts suppliers. Since the establishment of HMGMA, 17 partner companies have newly entered or expanded their presence in Georgia.
Workers of Hyundai Motor Group Meta Plant America (HMGMA) 'Metapro' working (Photo by Hyundai Motor)
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