Hyundai Says Its New Georgia Factory is Open and Ready for Ioniq 9 Production
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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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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"Hyundai completed the factory in less than two years"
• I WAS TOLD ON TTAC THAT THIS PROCESS TAKES MANY MANY MANY MANY YEARS
Regarding my comments on the two engine failures, both were failures while driving. One occurred 1500 miles from home and it took 3 months to get the replacement engine.
After ww2 and getting no interest from usa manufacturers, Edward Deming got an enthusiastic reception in Japan for his principles of statistical quality control. The Deming Prize is now the highest award for quality in Japan.
Over time, Toyota developed the Toyota production system, which is the key to their quality.