2024.06.18
Hyundai Motor's envisioned US plant in Georgia to prioritize EVs: CEO
The Korea Times - A
new car manufacturing plant by Hyundai Motor, Korea's largest automaker, under
construction in the U.S. state of Georgia will prioritize producing electric
vehicles despite a temporary fluctuation in market demand, the company's CEO
said Monday.
"Even though
the demand for electric vehicles is temporarily fluctuating more than expected,
we believe our direction toward electric vehicles is correct," said Chang
Jae-hoon, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor, when asked by reporters in Seoul
on how the company plans to operate Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America
(HMGMA), which is currently under construction in Georgia.
"For now,
electric vehicles are the top priority," Chang said.
The Hyundai CEO was
attending a business event hosted by the Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, who was
visiting Korea to promote his state's strong business ties with Korean
companies. Georgia has successfully attracted high-profile investments from big
Korean businesses, such as Hyundai Motor, SK, Hanwha and LG, in recent years.
HMGMA is scheduled
to be completed in the fourth quarter. The company also plans to produce hybrid
vehicles at the plant.
"Georgia is not
only a key area for our company but also the region where the most Korean
companies have expanded, making it significantly important in terms of
investment scale," Chang added.
During his Korean
trip, which began last week, Kemp also met with key executives of other Korean
businesses, including those of SK Group and LG Group.
Hyundai Motor and SK
On, SK Group's battery arm, are also building a battery plant in Georgia with
an annual production capacity of 35 gigawatt hours. SK On is also operating two
of its own plants in Georgia. (Yonhap)
Source: https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2024/06/419_376819.html