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Bloomberg
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Bloomberg
Savannah Bet Its Economy on a Big Hyundai Plant. Now It Has to Find the Workers
The historic city, known for gardens and gothic mystery, is leaving no stone unturned as it helps the South Korean auto giant staff up a futuristic new factory Photography & Video by Elijah Nouvelage for Bloomberg Savannah, Georgia, best known for its sumptuous gardens and moonlit ghost tours, is betting its future on a decidedly less romantic pursuit: factory work. About 20 miles from the coastal city's cobblestone streets and riverboats, Hyundai Motor Co. has built the 'Metaplant America,' a gleaming facility where the South Korean auto giant plans to produce up to 500,000 hybrid and electric vehicles a year. Construction of the plant was a significant economic development victory for southeast Georgia, which had watched other southern cities lure massive foreign auto plants that transformed their local economies. Today, thousands of workers across the region assemble German, Korean and Japanese-designed cars and trucks. Walking around the Metaplant's floor, it would appear to need few human hands. Amid a clatter of whirrs and clanks, robotic arms lift and weld steel components into place as table-like robots scurry around the floor delivering parts. But by 2031, Hyundai hopes to have some 12,500 people working at the plant and for its nearby suppliers. The Savannah region's civic, business and education leaders are pulling together to help Hyundai fill those jobs—no small challenge in a metro area with just over 400,000 people and an unemployment rate of 2.9%. Economic and education leaders are introducing manufacturing to kids as young as grade school, courting jobseekers with criminal histories and previous addictions, and traveling up and down the East Coast looking for workers who might be willing to relocate. So far, Hyundai has hired some 1,400 workers, including 900 production employees, for the plant, which formally opened in March. The facility has one of a planned three production lines up and running, cranking out Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9 crossover SUVs. 'Husbands are asking their wives to come, people are asking their partners, people are asking their children to come work here,' Brent Stubbs, the Metaplant's chief administrative officer, said in an interview. 'This is just the beginning.' Meeting its hiring goals means Hyundai will have to confront a series of obstacles that are both unique to the region and representative of wider economic forces. Some prospective hires may be eager for a new job, but uneasy about moving because of higher home prices and mortgage rates. Pay in the motor-vehicle factory sector has also been falling behind the rest of the economy; when adjusted for inflation, average hourly wages have declined 8% since January 1990, federal data show. In Savannah, a heavy reliance on tourism has kept wages down locally. For many workers, there are also gaps in both skills and perception. Some people are reluctant to apply for manufacturing roles because they don't understand what factory work involves—or what its rewards are, say officials involved in the Metaplant recruitment push. 'I would probably venture to say they don't understand what manufacturing is,' said Susan Williams, who oversees state-run training centers for Hyundai and other big employers in eastern Georgia. The Trump administration is staring down similar challenges as it seeks to revive American manufacturing might. The nation will have to fill around 3.8 million factory jobs between 2024 and 2033, almost three-quarters of them to replace retiring workers, according to a 2024 study by Deloitte and The Manufacturing Institute. Half could go unfilled, the study found. Industry Diversity These are good times for Savannah's tourism industry. On a weeknight in May, it's hard to find a table at the restaurants in the old cotton warehouses along River Street. A few blocks away, a young woman on a park bench poses seductively for still shots in moss-strewn Chippewa Square, where Tom Hanks waited for a bus in Forrest Gump. A record 12.6 million visitors came to the area in 2023, according to the most recent tourism bureau figures. Savannah's economy isn't as tourism-dependent as it seems, said Moody's Analytics senior economist Tyler Case. Hospitality is part of a 'three-legged stool' supported by the fourth-busiest US seaport and manufacturing, he said. The biggest employer in the region is Gulfstream Aerospace, which moved to Savannah in 1967 and now employs 13,000 workers making business jets. Still, the importance of the hospitality industry locally is one reason the region's average wages, at $28.31 an hour, lag Georgia and the nation. Community leaders thus rejoiced three years ago when Hyundai announced it would open a $5.5 billion plant in nearby Bryan County—later upped to $7.5 billion—with average annual wages of $58,105. Charleston, South Carolina, broke locals' hearts several years earlier by winning a Volvo factory that was eyeing the same tract of land Hyundai eventually took. 'We needed another massive, really awesome advanced manufacturing facility to really intensify the diversity that we have,' said Trip Tollison, chief executive of the Savannah Economic Development Authority. The work being done at the Metaplant looks different from what many people might think of when they imagine a car plant. In one area of the factory, platform-like Automated Guided Vehicles take direction from QR codes on the floor, slipping under assembled cars to move them to quality testing. Nearby, a four-legged robot resembling a dog, known as Spot, peers into the vehicles and looks for defects before they are carried off for painting. People step in for intricate tasks the robots can't do, like affixing a door seal to a car door with a power tool. Other employees handle higher-end functions like programming and fixing the machines. Even with all the automation, the Metaplant will need 8,500 human workers on-site and another 4,000 at its suppliers. Local development advocates, school administrators, state workforce officials and Hyundai itself have plotted a multipronged strategy to find the needed hands. A new group, the Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE), has been taking roadshows up and down the East Coast to recruit workers. At a country music festival in Tampa, Florida, they offered Southern pralines—gooey blobs of nuts, sugar and cream—to get passers-by to stop and talk. At the Metaplant, the manufacturing system is designed to allow for robots to assist human workers to build more than 500,000 vehicles per year. Following programmed paths affixed to QR codes, Automated Guided Vehicles move vehicle components across the factory. The Metaplant has partnered with four technical colleges in the greater Savannah area offering the Electrical Vehicle Professional (EVP) Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC). The certificate program was designed to prepare students for entry-level employment in the electric vehicle production industry. The Metaplant will manufacture the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and eventually produce models for Kia and Genesis. Hyundai constructed four roundabouts near the 2,900-acre megasite to help manage the anticipated increase in traffic. The group is also courting some of the 3,500 soldiers who leave nearby Fort Stewart and an affiliated airfield every year for the private sector. And to attract potential workers scrolling through social media on their phones, they're making breezy TikTok and Instagram videos showing young people rowing in the nearby coastal salt marshes and sunbathing on the beach. RISE is also following the lead of a Pennsylvania program that recruits young adults to go into local schools and share the 'gospel' of industry, said Anna Chafin, who's leading the area's industrial workforce effort with RISE. For many students, pay is the most important consideration. 'What kind of truck they can purchase? What kind purse they might can get?,' Chain said. 'They want to know what type of things can they have.' Housing Pinch Some locals said Hyundai's arrival is changing the local economy, though not necessarily for the better, by pinching the housing supply and making it harder for other businesses to retain workers. Single-family homes in the Savannah metro area are cheaper than elsewhere in the US, on average, but the median sale price has climbed 55% to $380,000 since April 2020, outpacing the 47% gain, nationwide, Redfin data show. 'It's a tourist city, so you still have people that aren't making $100,000 a year, but you've got a lot of apartments going up where the rents are, you know, $2,800, $3,500,' said Melanie Wilson, who's paid to worry about such things for the region's Metropolitan Planning Commission. In suburban Richmond Hill, a half hour from downtown Savannah, Buck Holly owns a small factory that mills aftermarket components for pistols called C&H Precision. Holly, who has a red Make America Great Again cap displayed in his office, supports Trump's efforts to rebuild US manufacturing. But since Hyundai arrived, he has worried about his ability to keep his 35 workers, including a young couple he lured from New Mexico. 'When I go to talk to them about them staying here long term and buying a house, they're like, 'We can't buy a house here,'' he said. Housing issues have also complicated Hyundai's efforts to lure professional and managerial workers who don't want to relocate with average 30-year mortgage rates still hovering near 7%. The company provides relocation assistance for those roles, said Stubbs, the Metaplant administrator, without elaborating. Around Savannah, as heavy industry hosts field trips to factories and warehouses, young people are starting to realize their worth to potential employers. Jalaya Bost, a 17-year-old from Savannah, ducked out of class for a few minutes on a Monday afternoon to share that she's open to a job at Hyundai in the future. 'I like cars,' Bost said. She credited the online gaming platform Roblox for sparking an interest in factories and factory-building. Like so many others her age, though, she said many of her friends see themselves getting rich as social-media influencers. 'Watching YouTube, it looks like they're just recording themselves making money,' she said. 'They make it look easy.' Edited by Tim Annett and Cecile Daurat Photo edited by Marie Monteleone More On Bloomberg Terms of Service Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information Trademarks Privacy Policy Careers Made in NYC Advertise Ad Choices Help ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved.
Motor Trend
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 XRT First Test: Activate Real SUV Mode!
Pros Proper fun in mild dirt Great as an everyday do-it-all crossover Built-in NACS convenience Cons Off-road gear brings on-road compromises Using Tesla Superchargers not yet optimal Price close to high-end Ioniq 5 Limited trim Is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 really an SUV? Despite winning our 2023 SUV of the Year award, the internet seemed stubbornly convinced that Hyundai's excellent EV just wasn't legit. In our (your author's) pursuit to prove its chops, we took our beloved Ioniq 5 long-term review vehicle off-roading, where it performed well despite the slick dirt under its all-season tires. Still, naysayers remained. 0:00 / 0:00 Now, as part of the Ioniq 5's revamp for 2025, Hyundai has introduced an off-road-oriented XRT model. Equipped with rugged hardware and styling cues, the Ioniq 5 XRT seems more SUV-ish than its hatchback-adjacent basis normally suggests. Finding out if that really is the case meant taking the Ioniq 5 XRT out to the trail and track. Recap: What's New for the 2025 Ioniq 5 Only a few years after its launch, production of the Ioniq 5 has shifted from Korea to Hyundai Motor Group's new Metaplant America facility near Savannah, Georgia, where the new 2025 models have been rolling out with several notable changes. Primary among them is an increased capacity for its two battery pack options, now at 63.0 kWh or 84.0 kWh, up from 58.0 kWh or 77.4 kWh. The batteries are now charged via a built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, the interface designed by Tesla that allows for ready use of its Supercharger stations—although caveats to that exist, which we'll get to. Among the subtle exterior changes, none are more useful than the addition of a rear windshield wiper, a glaring omission from the original iteration. Inside, the 2025 Ioniq 5 features a revised center console with a relocated wireless charging pad, plus an updated climate control touch panel, both welcome and effective improvements. The infotainment system gains Hyundai's latest user interface, with increased processing power and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The stupendously sporty Ioniq 5 N remains as the lineup's performance standard bearer, and it's now joined by the new XRT, which adopts the name and requisite features emblematic of Hyundai's emerging off-road-inspired subbrand. Beyond its stark black bumpers, the XRT rides on a raised suspension and 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. The enhancements help increase ground clearance to 7.0 inches, up from 6.1 inches. Approach angle grows to 19.8 degrees from 17.5, departure to 30.0 degrees from 25.4, and breakover to 13.5 degrees from 11.8. Drive modes tuned for Snow, Mud, and Sand complete XRT-specific changes. 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: On the Trail The XRT might seem like a mere wheel and tire package, but Hyundai set it up with actual capability that spikes the fun factor. With 320 hp and 446 lb-ft on tap, it slings dirt adeptly and makes dust clouds aplenty. This rig is down to get rowdy off-road. The XRT is more a rally ripper than rock crawler at its core. While its bumper angles limit it from conquering even moderate obstacles, it'll happily pound through dips and articulate over offset surfaces. Toggling through drive modes adjusts the dual-motor AWD system's torque split, such as a relatively balanced distribution in Sand or a more rear-oriented profile in Sport. Gravel roads are where this Ioniq 5 really comes alive. There, its tires provide tangibly better grip and control, especially while sliding—defeating the traction and stability systems so it can get loose is a blast. Lift off to use the strong regenerative braking to load weight on the nose, then prod the accelerator to get the tail out. It gradually transitions into oversteer, the long wheelbase aiding stability. Even if the suspension doesn't ride much higher, it's very well calibrated. That slight difference provides more leeway for the wheels and body to move, softening impacts and settling with beautifully smooth damping. 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: On the Road Despite its added capability, like any off-road-themed model of this type, the Ioniq 5 XRT will almost assuredly spend most of its time on pavement. There, the raised suspension provides a more commanding view of the road, like an SUV should. But the open tread of the all-terrain tires can lead to increased interior noise, and their taller sidewalls tend to flex more under lateral loads, causing a less steady sensation when tracking through curves—particularly at higher speeds. This isn't to say that the XRT is excessively noisy or unsteady in a general sense, but only relative to the standard Ioniq 5. Overall, the experience is very similar between the two models in most daily driving situations. As such, the XRT is a similarly terrific everyday vehicle, providing good passenger and cargo space within its stylish, user-friendly cabin. Plenty of real buttons balance the digital touch controls. Hyundai's updated infotainment is quicker to respond and better-looking, and its navigation's on-route charge planning is much improved. 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: At the Track Our instrumented testing regimen revealed how much differently the Ioniq 5 XRT behaves at its limits as opposed to our previous long-term model. Given that its motor output is identical to that of our AWD long-termer, it's no surprise the XRT was essentially as quick in a straight line. It accelerated to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, just 0.1 second off. Both versions posted a 13.2-second quarter-mile time, with the XRT's 102.3-mph trap speed just 1 mph less. Also not surprisingly, the XRT's knobby tires led to some performance compromises. Its 60–0-mph braking distance is 137 feet, quite a bit longer than the Limited trim's 122-foot distance, which itself isn't a terrific result. Additionally, skidpad grip of 0.74 g average is far less than the Limited trim's 0.87 g average. In our figure-eight test, the XRT posted a 26.9 second, 0.68 g average lap, compared to 25.6 seconds and 0.72 g average for the Ioniq 5 Limited. 2025 Ioniq 5 XRT: On a Plug In our road trip range test, the Ioniq 5 XRT showed the worth of its larger 84.0-kWh battery by covering 244 miles, the most of any Ioniq 5 we've tested to date, although we're betting the standard updated Ioniq 5 will go farther. With NACS built in, the 2025 Ioniq 5 gains access to more than 17,000 Tesla Supercharger stations, massively increasing ease of charging on long-distance drives. If only it were that simple. Due to current hardware limitations of Tesla's fastest chargers, plugging into those is slower than using other 350-kW DC fast chargers and an adapter for CCS, the interface originally equipped on the Ioniq 5 and most non-Tesla EVs. At a Supercharger, the XRT gained 90 miles of range in the first 15 minutes after plugging in at 5 percent state of charge. Repeating the test on a 350-kW Electrify America station, it gained 152 miles. A 5–80 percent session on a Supercharger took 32 minutes with an average charge rate of 125 kW. Meanwhile, on Electrify America that charge took 22 minutes with an average 186-kW rate. Gaining NACS is a big benefit for convenience, and it effectively futureproofs the Ioniq 5 for when and if Tesla improves its Supercharger hardware. For now, though, going with yesterday's method provides faster charging. Read our 2025 Ioniq 5 charging analysis for more insight. Finally, a Real SUV? Taken as a whole, the Ioniq 5 XRT strikes a successful balance. It gains a burlier feel and legitimate capability to explore off the beaten path, and it's good fun to chuck down a dirt road. But it doesn't sink so far into the figurative mud pit that it's not a nice everyday all-electric crossover, as well—it totally is. Anyone attracted to the XRT's black-bumpered, fat-tired aesthetic won't pay much of an on-road penalty. They will, however, pay for the XRT trim. Our test version listed at $57,700 with extra-cost paint and rubber floormats as the only options. An AWD-equipped Ioniq 5 Limited doesn't cost much more and comes with niceties including a glass roof, ventilated front seats, and premium audio. That's still the better version for drivers who have no intention of heading off-road. For those who do pony up for an XRT, though, they're in for an endearing, sweet all-electric SUV—yes, an SUV.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kia Is Finally Bringing a Pickup to America — And It's Not What You Think
Kia is officially planning to launch a midsize pickup truck for the U.S. market, and no, it's not the rugged Tasman you may have seen overseas. Instead, the automaker will build a new, U.S.-specific model from the ground up, according to CEO Ho Sung Song. More details are expected to land at the company's Investor Day on April 9, but for now, one thing is clear: Kia wants a piece of the most competitive and profitable segment in the American auto industry. Despite its strong presence in crossovers and electric vehicles, Kia has long lacked a true pickup in its U.S. lineup. And while the global Tasman truck recently debuted in Korea and Australia, it was never designed with American buyers — or regulations — in mind. 'We don't develop that vehicle for the American market,' Song confirmed at the Seoul Mobility Show. Instead, the new truck will be an entirely separate model built to appeal to U.S. tastes and requirements. The move makes sense. Midsize trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, and Chevrolet Colorado continue to see strong demand in the U.S., thanks to their blend of utility, size, and value. With electrification looming and consumer tastes shifting, there's also a growing appetite for smaller, potentially electric alternatives to full-size trucks like the Ford F-150 or the controversy-ridden Tesla Cybertruck. Kia's upcoming pickup is expected to be built in Georgia at Hyundai's Metaplant America, a move that would help it avoid both import tariffs and rising trade tensions. As for powertrains, nothing is confirmed, but rumors suggest the truck could debut as an EV or at least offer an electric variant alongside traditional internal combustion options. Kia is also reportedly exploring a partnership with General Motors to develop internal combustion trucks based on the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, which could give the Korean automaker a quicker path to market. That means multiple strategies could be in play simultaneously, giving Kia room to adapt to consumer demand. The pickup truck isn't Kia's only move into new territory. The automaker is also developing a series of electric light commercial vehicles, including the PV5 van, as part of a broader push into commercial and utility markets. For Kia, the pivot isn't just about new product lines; it's about reshaping its entire identity in the U.S. As Song put it, this isn't a gamble, it's a growth strategy. 'This is an opportunity, not a risk,' he said. We'll know more on April 9. But for now, it's safe to say Kia is finally getting serious about trucks. And if it plays its cards right, it could shake up the segment in a big way.
Associated Press
27-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Celebrates Grand Opening, Powering U.S. Economic Growth
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, the key pillar of the Group's $12.6 billion investment in Georgia and the largest economic development project in the state's history, is now open Vehicle assembly and battery plant will produce up to 500,000 electric and hybrid vehicles annually for Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands Hyundai Motor Group commits to an additional $21 billion investment from 2025 to 2028 to drive U.S. manufacturing growth Since entering the U.S., Hyundai Motor Group has invested $20.5 billion in the U.S., creating directly and indirectly more than 570,000 American jobs ELLABELL, Ga., March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) today hosted its Grand Opening celebration, as part of Hyundai Motor Group's commitment to and investment in the U.S. The ceremony marks the completion of the largest economic development project in Georgia's history, just two and a half years after breaking ground. 'Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America not only represents the Group's advanced manufacturing capabilities and commitment to innovation, but also our investment in relationships with our partners and communities right here in Georgia,' said Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group. 'With the rich history of craftsmanship and manufacturing in this community, together with the talented workforce at HMGMA we are building the future of mobility with America, in America.' The event was attended by Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung, Governor Brian P. Kemp, U.S. Representative Buddy Carter, Hyundai Motor Group Vice Chair Jaehoon Chang, Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO José Muñoz, Kia Corporation President and CEO Ho Sung Song, company officials, state and local leaders, HMGMA Meta Pro employees, and other distinguished guests. 'Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, made possible by our commitment to working with job creators to build fruitful partnerships for decades. Collaborations between HMGMA and Georgia's universities and technical colleges, including Georgia Quick Start's on-site training facility, are preparing Georgians for high-quality jobs of today and tomorrow, while our award-winning infrastructure, such as our ports connects companies to markets around the nation and globe,' said Governor Kemp during the event, highlighting the positive impact of the plant on the state's economy as well as its role in advancing innovative manufacturing and cultivating a skilled labor pool in Georgia. HMG entered into a landmark agreement with the State of Georgia in May 2022 to establish a cutting-edge electric and hybrid vehicle production and battery manufacturing facility in Ellabell, Georgia, located 20 miles outside of historic Savannah. By June 2022, HMGMA was officially formed, and within four months, the company broke ground on the project, setting an unprecedented pace for development. On October 3, 2024, less than two years after breaking ground, the first vehicle – a Hyundai IONIQ 5 – rolled off the assembly line, marking a new era for the Group's U.S. operations. Hyundai's IONIQ 9 three-row electric SUV is also now in production at HMGMA and will be joined in 2026 by the first Kia model to be built at the facility. In addition to manufacturing electric vehicles for Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia, the plant is also equipped to produce hybrid vehicles. HMGMA has the capacity to initially produce 300,000 vehicles annually. Investment and Economic Impact The Group's investment in Georgia related to HMGMA and joint battery ventures with LG Energy Solution and SK On is $12.6 billion. This represents the largest single investment in the state's history and includes a total of 8,500 jobs at HMGMA by 2031. The Group's total investments in Georgia are expected to create nearly 40,000 direct and indirect jobs, and $4.6 billion in individual earnings every year, according to the Center for Automotive Research. As of July 2024, more than $2.5 billion in capital investment and approximately 6,900 jobs have been announced by HMGMA suppliers in 12 counties across the state. This more than doubles the additional $1 billion investment by suppliers that was originally anticipated. HMGMA exemplifies the Group's dedication to fostering economic growth, driving technological advancements, and delivering sustainable solutions to the U.S. market. To date, the Group has invested more than $20.5 billion in the U.S. in the service of these goals, creating or supporting over 570,000 jobs nationwide. Earlier this week, the Group announced a significant investment of $21 billion in the U.S. from 2025 to 2028; $9 billion will be invested to establish an annual production capacity in the U.S. of 1.2 million vehicles. The Group plans to expand HMGMA's annual production capacity to a total of 500,000 units, an increase of 200,000 units from the original plan. In addition, the Group's existing U.S. production sites – Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and Kia Autoland Georgia – will also see improvements in production facilities.
