Hyundai Motor Group and SK On’s joint venture has officially begun mass production of battery cells at its facilities in the U.S. state of Georgia. Launched with a groundbreaking investment of $5 billion and construction beginning in 2023, the project aims to strengthen the electric vehicle ecosystem in the region. With mass production starting in June, the cells produced at the facility are being shipped to Hyundai’s “Metaplant America” facility, where they are assembled into battery packs for electric vehicles. Employing approximately 3,500 people, the facility plans to reach an annual production capacity of 35 gigawatt-hours once it reaches full capacity.
Supported by $641 million in tax incentives and various forms of financial assistance from the state of Georgia, the facility spans approximately 3 million square meters. The cells produced there will be assembled into battery packs by Hyundai Mobis and used in electric vehicle models from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis in the U.S. market.
This new venture further expands Korean battery manufacturing operations in the region. In addition to SK Battery America’s existing operations in the state, another battery plant is under construction through a partnership between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution. Construction of this other facility previously experienced a brief delay after immigration authorities detained a large number of Korean workers at the site. Although production activities are currently in their early stages, the facility is expected to become an important part of the domestic supply chain for the U.S. electric vehicle market as operations gradually move toward full capacity.
Source: Solarbaba – In Turkish
