At the New York Auto Show this week, Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz confirmed that the automaker plans to manufacture a hybrid version of its Santa Fe crossover and a fully-electric luxury Genesis GV70 SUV at its plant in Montgomery, Alabama. Hyundai expects to make a $300 million investment into the project, including expanding the existing facility to make more room for the production of the new vehicles and making updates to the facility to accommodate assembly processes required for electric vehicle production.
In a press release on Tuesday, Alabama’s Governor Kay Ivey said that “Hyundai’s new growth plans in Montgomery will help prepare the state’s auto industry for the EV revolution while also aligning with our strategic initiatives such as Drive Electric Alabama.” Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield echoed her statement, noting, “With this EV expansion, Hyundai is again demonstrating that Alabama’s auto sector is concentrating on what the future holds for the industry and that it will continue to evolve to meet all challenges.”
Since 2002, Hyundai has poured over $1.8 billion into the facility, which currently has over 3,000 employees. Hyundai vehicles already being produced at the plant include Elantra, Tucson, and Santa Cruz models. Production of the hybrid Santa Fe expects to start in October, and production of the electric GV70 plans to begin in December.
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