Hyundai has significantly expanded its North American manufacturing footprint over the last few years, and its massive Georgia production facility recently announced a major milestone. The factory is now open and ready to start rolling new Hyundai Ioniq 9 EVs off the line.
The automaker invested $7.6 billion into the state, which will create an estimated 8,500 jobs by the end of the decade. Hyundai completed the factory in less than two years, giving it a massive production line and domestic vehicle manufacturing at a time when the political world is obsessed with imports and tariffs.
In addition to the new Ioniq 9, Hyundai will build hybrids and other EVs at the facility. The Ioniq 5 started production at the location late last year, and other models, including some from Kia and Genesis, will be built there. While moving EV production to the United States will help Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis gain tax credit eligibility, there’s no telling how much longer they will be available.
The Ioniq 9 is expected this spring and will come from the factory with a Tesla NACS port installed. It offers up to 335 miles of range and a three-row interior, similar in size to the Kia EV9. The Georgia opening event came directly after Hyundai announced a $21 billion investment here, which will include a new steel factory in Louisiana.
[Images: Hyundai]
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