As the state of Georgia declared Monday as Hyundai Day at the state Capitol, the automaker is accelerating the timeline for its Bryan County plant.
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) revealed that the official start of production will start the fourth quarter of 2024, with the grand opening celebration targeted for the first quarter of 2025. It was previously announced that production would begin in the first quarter of 2025.
“Georgia is like a second home to us,” said José Muñoz, president and Global COO, Hyundai Motor Company, and president and CEO, Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. “On behalf of all of us at Hyundai Motor Group, we are very proud that Hyundai’s investments in Georgia will create tens of thousands of great paying American jobs and bring tens of billions of dollars in economic impact for decades to come. Thank you to our partners and to the great people of Georgia for your support and for making us feel so much at home.”
Hyundai Motor Group is investing $7.59 billion to develop HMGMA, which will create 8,500 direct jobs. Additionally, Hyundai and SK On are building a $5 billion EV battery cell plant in Bartow County that will employ 3,500 workers. According to a recent Center for Automotive Research study, Hyundai’s investments in Georgia are expected to create nearly 40,000 jobs and create $4.6 billion in individual earnings every year.
“For decades, Hyundai Motor Group has been an incredible partner to our state, and we knew exactly what kind of historic benefits a project like this would bring to hardworking Georgians when we first began talks with HMG,” said Gov. Brian Kemp.
The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) project was announced in May 2022, and since the initial announcement of HMGMA’s location, Hyundai Motor Group’s planned investment in Georgia has reached more than $12.6 billion, bringing with it the creation of 12,000 direct, long-term jobs.
“The commitment from all stakeholders to work together has enabled Hyundai's positive impact and the creation of thousands of jobs,” said Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. “These initiatives support Georgia's position as the number one state in which to do business. Partnerships like these foster a thriving environment where we can continue to grow Georgia's businesses and workforce."
Up to 300,000 Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia EVs are expected to be produced annually at the Metaplant. Additionally, 17 HMGMA suppliers have announced projects across 10 Georgia counties spanning beyond southeast Georgia, with further announcements expected. Expected to create more than 6,700 new jobs and more than $2.5 billion in investment, supplier facilities will be operational prior to the opening of HMGMA.
"Hyundai Motor Group's investment and expansion in Southeast Georgia is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and sound policy direction from Governor Kemp and the General Assembly," said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. "Hyundai's Metaplant will have a generational impact, not only from an economic development standpoint, but as a force multiplier for additional investments in education, healthcare, housing and transportation. With their announcement to officially start vehicle production in the fourth quarter of this year, Hyundai is continuing to show how transformational this project is for our state, and I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Kemp to bring great companies like Hyundai to the best state in the country for business."
Already at the nearly 3,000-acre Metaplant site, four building exteriors are complete and outfitting for internal operations is underway.
“Meta Pros,” HMGMA’s full-time employees, are already being hired at a rapid pace for training and skills on machinery, office and clerical work, and numerous other employment roles.
HMGMA currently has 566 full-time employees. Of that workforce, approximately 75% are from the Greater Savannah area. An additional 37 employees are from Georgia but are outside of the local area.
Those interested in applying to be a Meta Pro can apply at careers.hmgma.com. Georgia Quick Start broke ground on its customized training center at the Metaplant site on February 8.
“The investment that Hyundai Motor Group has made to the Savannah region is just tremendous," said Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority’s Trip Tollison. "They have given more than $1 million to regional nonprofits, formed key partnerships with our local educational institutions, have committed to $7.59 billion in capital investment in Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, will create 8,500 jobs, and so much more. More than 550 Meta Pros have already been hired, with 75% coming from the Savannah region. It is really a phenomenal testament of their commitment to our region and state.”
Beginning with the start of mass production, the electricity used to power the Metaplant will come from 100% clean power sources, aligning with Hyundai’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2045. A 41-acre park will be featured in front of the plant that includes trails, running tracks, environmental art displays, sports fields, and other amenities for employee use.