MONTGOMERY, Ala., Nov. 13, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Hyundai
Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) announced the Santa Cruz compact utility vehicle will join
the Santa Fe SUV and the Sonata and Elantra sedans at Hyundai's
U.S. automotive assembly plant in Montgomery, starting in 2021. The Santa Cruz was first introduced as a concept
at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The plant will require a $410
million expansion to support the addition of the vehicle.
This includes additional space in the stamping, welding and parts
processing areas of the manufacturing complex. Direct employment
will increase by 200 jobs and local suppliers and logistics
companies who support HMMA are projected to employ an additional
1,000 people in Montgomery and the
River Region.
"Bringing the Santa Cruz to
HMMA demonstrates that Hyundai Motor Company is confident our more
than 3,000 Team Members are ready to build a quality crossover for
the U.S. market," said Byungjin Jin,
president and CEO, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama.
Santa Cruz is for those who
want all the traditional attributes of a compact utility vehicle,
but need the day-to-day versatility of an open bed. It's the
crossover that creates a whole new segment that successfully
combines capability and utility to meet the unspoken needs of a new
generation of buyers, especially Millennials.
"Alabama and Hyundai have
developed a great partnership over the years, and it's a testament
to our special relationship that this world-class automaker is
expanding once again in Montgomery," Governor Ivey said. "Hyundai's
new investment is giving more Alabama families an opportunity to earn a good
living while also strengthening the state's growing auto
industry."
"I recently had the honor of experiencing first-hand the
long-standing partnership between Hyundai and Montgomery on a visit
to Seoul as part of an economic
development delegation including former Mayor Todd Strange," said Montgomery Mayor
Steven Reed. "With the addition of
the Santa Cruz, Hyundai is again
choosing to launch a new vision. I look forward to continuing to
strengthen this vital relationship in the coming years and working
with our partners to support this tremendous investment."
HMMA, which started vehicle production in May 2005, is the River Region's largest private
manufacturer with 2,900 full-time and 500 part-time employees. In
14 and one-half years the plant has produced 4.5 million vehicles
for the North American market.
"Our commitment to our partnership with Hyundai continues to
deepen, and we are so honored by this significant investment," said
Montgomery County Commission
Chairman Elton Dean. "Together, we
are charting the course for success and opportunity in the River
Region."
Among U.S. states, Alabama is
already the fifth largest producer of cars and light trucks. The
state has more than 150 major auto suppliers and 57,000 automotive
manufacturing jobs.
"We are so honored that in just 18 months HMMA has invested over
$1.1 billion in the Montgomery area,"
said Montgomery Area Chamber of
Commerce Chairman Willie Durham.
"Partnership and teamwork are key to this kind of economic growth
and we are grateful for the impact this kind of investment will
have on the entire region."
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, headquartered in
Montgomery, Ala., is an
independent manufacturing operation of Hyundai Motor Company, based
in Seoul, Korea. HMMA
currently produces the 2020 Sonata, Elantra, and Santa Fe. Hyundai
cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout
the United States by Hyundai Motor
America and are sold and serviced by more than 900 Hyundai
dealerships across North America. Hyundai Motor Group aims to
produce 700,000 fuel cell systems annually by 2030, including
500,000 units for FCEVs.
Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, headquartered in
Montgomery, Ala., is an
independent manufacturing operation of Hyundai Motor Company, based
in Seoul, Korea. HMMA
currently produces the 2020 Sonata, Elantra, and Santa Fe. Hyundai
cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout
the United States by Hyundai Motor
America and are sold and serviced by more than 900 Hyundai
dealerships across North America.
https://www.hmmausa.com/
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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America