Hyundai has officially begun operations at its new $7.6 billion electric vehicle (EV) plant in Bryan County, Georgia, with the first U.S.-made Ioniq 5 rolling off the assembly line. The vehicle is scheduled to arrive at American dealerships by the end of 2024.
The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), which broke ground in October 2022, completed construction in less than two years. Hyundai fast-tracked production to gain a competitive edge with U.S.-made EVs. “After validating its production processes to ensure its vehicles meet Hyundai Motor Group’s high standards, (the Savannah plant) has started initial production of customer vehicles ahead of schedule,” the company said in a statement reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The new facility represents a historic milestone, marking Georgia’s largest-ever economic development project. Initially, Hyundai invested $5 billion into the site, later increasing the figure to $7.6 billion. The project is expected to create 8,500 jobs at the plant, with another $5 billion battery plant under construction in Bartow County through a partnership with SK On, adding 3,500 more jobs to the area.
Since 2018, more than $28 billion has been invested in Georgia to support electric vehicle and clean energy projects, generating 36,000 jobs across the state. Hyundai’s plant is projected to help create 58,200 new jobs and attract over $12.6 billion in investments, according to a study by the Center for Automotive Research.
The first vehicle to be produced is the 2025 Ioniq 5, featuring increased range, a redesigned look, and a NACS charging port for access to Tesla’s Supercharger network. Hyundai expects U.S.-made EVs to qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit once its battery plant becomes operational. The automaker will also unveil its first all-electric three-row SUV, the Ioniq 9, later this year.
