Hyundai is chasing its fifth straight record sales year in the US, but it has even bigger plans over the next few years.
Is Hyundai a dark horse in the US?
The new US auto tariffs and ICE raid on its battery plant in Georgia have not swayed Hyundai from its plans to play a bigger role in the market.
“We’re going to increase production capacity in Georgia, beyond what we have already announced,” Hyundai Motor’s CEO, Jose Munoz, said during an interview with the Atlanta Business Chronicle over the weekend.
Hyundai’s CEO confirmed the Korean automaker remains committed to its previously announced $26 billion investment to boost US sales over the next four years. Of that, around $2.7 billion will be funneled into Georgia, in addition to the $12.6 billion earmarked for the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and other facilities.
Munoz said Hyundai plans to overcome the US tariffs, which were recently lowered to 15% from 25%, by boosting local production. It’s “very simple,” Munoz said, adding, “it’s localization.”
The remarks come after over 300 South Korean workers were detained in an ICE raid at a construction site for a new Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions battery plant in September, sparking widespread backlash.
Hyundai’s investment in Georgia, the largest in state history, is expected to create around 40,000 jobs across manufacturing and battery plants, as well as all of its suppliers.
As production ramps up at HMGMA, Hyundai will continue hiring until it’s at full capacity. Munoz said Hyundai is working on “multiple projects on different fronts, including robotics, AI,” and more. Although initial plans called for the plant to exclusively produce EVs, Hyundai is expected to begin building hybrids in 2026.
At the same time, Hyundai is “taking actions to remain competitive, to optimize our cost,” Munoz explained, not only by localizing production, but also by localizing its supply chain.
Through the first 11 months of 2025, Hyundai sold nearly 823,000 vehicles in the US, up 8% from the same period last year, and putting it on track for a fifth consecutive record retail sales year. Parker said Hyundai “fully expects to go ‘5 for 5’ in 2025.”
Hyundai is compensating for the loss of the $7,500 federal tax credit with some of the largest discounts among US automakers.
The IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s popular electric SUV, is among the most affordable (if not the most affordable) EVs you can lease, starting at just $189 a month. Hyundai builds the IONIQ 5 in Georgia at the HMGMA facility, alongside the three-row IONIQ 9.
Looking to test one out for yourself? We’re here to help. You can use our links below to find available Hyundai EVs in your area.
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