Hyundai's $2B Montgomery Battery Expansion Adds 1,000 AL Jobs

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Hyundai Motor Group announced a $2 billion investment to double production capacity at its electric vehicle battery facility in Montgomery, promising 1,000 new jobs for Alabama workers. The commitment, first reported by Alabama Daily News, builds on Hyundai's deep roots in the state where its main assembly plant has churned out vehicles since 2005. That facility, employing over 3,000, produces models including the electrified Genesis GV70 since 2023, with a capacity of 400,000 units annually. The battery plant expansion targets surging demand for EV components, positioning Montgomery as a key hub in Hyundai's North American strategy. While specifics on the partner -- likely LG Energy Solution, given joint ventures elsewhere -- remain tied to the initial pledge, the project aligns with Hyundai's $5.5 billion Georgia metaplant nearby, which recently added its own $2 billion battery boost for 400 jobs. In Alabama, incentives from the state, including AIDT training programs, have historically supported Hyundai's growth, drawing skilled labor from across the Black Belt. Gov. Kay Ivey's office praised the move as vital for economic resilience in Montgomery County, where unemployment hovers below national averages. The 1,000 jobs -- many in high-tech manufacturing -- could inject millions into local housing, schools and retail along the Alabama River. As EV production ramps up through 2026, Hyundai's bet underscores Alabama's edge in the South's auto corridor, outpacing rivals in job creation per dollar invested.