The Hyundai Motor group announced today that it will start producing the Santa Fe Hybrid and the Genesis GV70 EV at its Montgomery, Alabama plant, starting later this year. These will be the first electrified vehicles produced by the Koreans in the U.S.
“Hyundai Motor Company is taking its first steps toward bringing electric vehicle production to the United States. We are excited to showcase our team members in producing electric vehicles here in Alabama,” said Ernie Kim, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
The Santa Fe Hybrid will go into production alongside the Elantra sedan, the Tucson, the Santa Cruz, and the non-hybrid Santa Fe at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA).
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The automaker will spend $300 million to prepare the facility for the electrified vehicle and will need 200 additional workers to build it. That expansion will include additional warehouse space, enhanced assembly processes, and more. The plant should be ready for the new model in October 2022.
The Santa Fe Hybrid was introduced in 2021 and features a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine and an electric motor supplied by a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Together, they combine to make 225 hp (168 kW / 228 PS) and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) of torque. Hyundai also offers a plug-in hybrid variant; both are currently imported from Korea.
The Genesis Electrified GV70 has two electric motors that combine to produce 482 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque, making it the most powerful model in the SUV’s range. Boasting the same 400V/800V multi-rapid charging technology as the smaller GV60, it offers a driving range of 400 km (248 miles) per charge on the Korean testing cycle.
The 2023 Electrified GV70 will begin arriving in U.S. dealerships next year, while the 2022 Santa Fe Hybrid is already offered for sale at all U.S. dealerships.
The brand announced the new addition to HMMA at a signing ceremony at the Alabama state capitol with Governor Kay Ivey.
“Over the years, we have developed an enduring partnership with Hyundai, and it’s been great to witness the profound economic impacts of the company’s continued investments in Alabama,” Governor Ivey said. “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. This is another major milestone for our friends at Hyundai.”
