On March 26, 2025, a sprawling facility in Ellabell, Georgia, hummed to life as Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) marked its grand opening. Located just 20 miles from historic Savannah, this plant isn’t just another factory—it’s a bold statement of innovation, economic ambition, and a reimagining of what manufacturing can mean in the 21st century. Representing a $12.6 billion investment—the largest single economic project in Georgia’s history—HMGMA is now operational, churning out electric and hybrid vehicles for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. What began as a groundbreaking in October 2022 has, in less than three years, transformed into a cornerstone of the state’s economy and a glimpse into the future of mobility.
The grand opening wasn’t just a ribbon-cutting—it was a celebration of a partnership between Hyundai Motor Group and Georgia, attended by a roster of heavyweights: Executive Chair Euisun Chung, Governor Brian Kemp, U.S. Representative Buddy Carter, and a host of company and local leaders. Amid the fanfare, the message was clear: HMGMA is here to stay, and it’s bringing jobs, technology, and a greener approach to transportation with it. Let’s dive into what makes this plant a game-changer, from its economic ripple effects to its cutting-edge tech and community ties.
A Milestone Years in the Making
The story of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America starts with a handshake—or rather, a landmark agreement in May 2022 between Hyundai Motor Group and the State of Georgia. By June, HMGMA was officially born, and four months later, shovels hit the dirt. The pace was relentless. By October 3, 2024, the first vehicle—a sleek Hyundai IONIQ 5—rolled off the line, followed soon after by the IONIQ 9, a three-row electric SUV. A Kia model will join the lineup in 2026, rounding out a trio of brands under one roof.
This isn’t a small operation. The plant’s initial capacity sits at 300,000 vehicles per year, with plans to scale up to 500,000 by the end of the decade. It’s not just about electric vehicles (EVs), either—HMGMA is equipped to produce hybrids, reflecting a pragmatic nod to a market still transitioning from gas to electric. For Georgia, a state with a rich manufacturing heritage, this facility feels like a natural evolution, blending tradition with tomorrow’s tech.
Economic Powerhouse: Jobs and Billions
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America isn’t just a factory—it’s an economic engine. The $12.6 billion investment, which includes joint ventures with LG Energy Solution and SK On for battery production, is expected to create 8,500 direct jobs at the plant by 2031. But the impact stretches far beyond Ellabell. Estimates from the Center for Automotive Research suggest nearly 40,000 jobs—direct and indirect—will sprout across Georgia, generating $4.6 billion in annual earnings. Suppliers are already jumping on board, with $2.5 billion in investments and 6,900 jobs announced across 12 counties by late 2024.
Nationally, Hyundai Motor Group’s footprint is even more impressive. Since entering the U.S., the company has poured $20.5 billion into the country, supporting over 570,000 jobs. And they’re not stopping there. Just days before the grand opening, the Group unveiled plans for an additional $21 billion investment from 2025 to 2028. Of that, $9 billion will boost U.S. production capacity to 1.2 million vehicles annually, with HMGMA’s share rising to 500,000 units. Another $6 billion will fund a new steel mill via Hyundai Steel, producing 2.7 million tons of automotive-grade steel starting in 2029, while the remaining $6 billion targets innovations like autonomous driving and robotics. By 2028, this could mean 14,000 new direct jobs and over 100,000 total job opportunities nationwide.
Governor Kemp called it a “once-in-a-generation opportunity,” and he’s not exaggerating. Partnerships with Georgia’s universities and technical colleges, including an on-site Georgia Quick Start training facility, are priming the workforce for these roles. It’s a model of how industry and education can sync up to keep a state competitive.
Tech That Defines the Future
Walk inside Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and you’ll see more than assembly lines—you’ll see a sci-fi vision of manufacturing brought to life. Borrowing from the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore, HMGMA integrates artificial intelligence (AI), real-time data, and robotics into every step, from ordering parts to final assembly. Robots don’t just weld or lift; they assist human workers, creating what the company calls a “human-centred” environment. Automation here is nearly double that of Hyundai’s other U.S. plants, with tools like Boston Dynamics’ Spot inspecting welds and parking robots shuffling cars in the assembly shop.
The plant’s design is as smart as its tech. A 3,050-foot-long facade, lit to mimic a flowing stream, lets travellers on the nearby interstate peek at vehicles moving from painting to assembly. Inside, open layouts, skylights, and indoor greenery blur the line between factory and office, fostering collaboration. A solar parking lot, generating 5.2 megawatts of power, covers nearly 1,900 spaces, chipping away at the plant’s energy footprint. Meanwhile, a 41-acre ecological park—still under construction—will offer trails and sports fields for employees, dubbed “Meta Pros,” to unwind.
Sustainability isn’t an afterthought here. HMGMA has rolled out 21 Hyundai XCIENT hydrogen fuel-cell trucks for logistics, handling over a third of the plant’s parts transport. It’s a quiet but significant push toward cleaner operations, cutting carbon emissions one delivery at a time.
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Celebrates Grand Opening: A Community Anchor
Beyond the tech and economics, HMGMA is rooting itself in Georgia’s soil through community ties. Since 2022, Hyundai and Genesis have donated nearly $4.5 million to local nonprofits, focusing on education, safety, and sustainability. Kia’s Autoland Georgia, a sister facility in West Point, has chipped in over $22 million since 2009, including $6 million for educational programs like THINC College & Career Academy. These aren’t just goodwill gestures—they’re investments in the people who’ll keep HMGMA running.
Executive Chair Euisun Chung emphasized this during the opening: “We’re building the future of mobility with America, in America.” For him, it’s about relationships as much as it is about production lines. The plant’s CEO, Oscar Kwon, echoed that sentiment, stressing the importance of a welcoming workplace for Meta Pros. From team centres with natural light to that forthcoming ecological park, the focus is on making HMGMA a place where careers thrive.
Looking Ahead
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America isn’t a finish line—it’s a starting point. With production ramping up, the plant will soon hit its stride, delivering 500,000 vehicles annually across Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands. The $21 billion investment through 2028 signals even bigger ambitions, from steel production to breakthroughs in AI and advanced air mobility. For Georgia, it’s a chance to cement its status as a manufacturing hub. For the U.S., it’s a step toward a more sustainable, tech-driven automotive future.
As the first Kia model gears up for production in 2026 and the steel mill comes online in 2029, HMGMA’s influence will only grow. It’s a testament to what happens when ambition meets execution—a facility that’s not just building cars, but reshaping an industry, an economy, and a community. Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America celebrates its grand opening as more than a milestone; it’s a promise of what’s to come.