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Mong-Koo Chung, chairman and chief executive officer of Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, and Alabama Governor, Bob Riley, gathered with elected officials in Montgomery, Ala. today to celebrate the grand opening of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (HMMA). The $1.1 billion plant has been under construction since 2002, and is the company’s first U.S. manufacturing facility.
The plant employs more than 2,000 team members with high-paying jobs and full benefits. Additionally, 64 suppliers have located businesses throughout North America to support Hyundai’s new plant. Altogether, these suppliers are expected to create 5,500 additional jobs with a combined capital investment of $500 million.
“This new manufacturing facility reaffirms Hyundai’ commitment toward investing in the U.S. economy, as well as its commitment toward U.S. consumers,” said Chairman Chung. “American consumers have recognized Hyundai’s quality, and this plant will enable us to better serve them.”
The 2-million square-foot manufacturing plant resides on 1,744 acres of land and includes a stamping facility, paint shop, vehicle assembly shop, a two-mile test track and an engine shop, where the all-new Hyundai 3.3-liter V6 engine is produced. In May, the facility marked the official start of production with its first saleable 2006 Sonata. HMMA will produce 300,000 vehicles per year at full capacity.
“For the past three years, Hyundai has been a great neighbor here in the state of Alabama,” said Governor Riley. “I speak for every resident in the state when I say, we are proud to have Hyundai in Montgomery, and we are even more proud to play a role in the company’s growth here in the U.S. and throughout the world.”
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