Photo: Hyundai
Hyundai is opening a new EV plant in Ulsan, South Korea, following a $1.53 billion investment as the automaker accelerates the shift away from ICE-powered cars. The facility will produce 200,000 EVs per year. Hyundai opened another EV plant last year, in Georgia, USA.
Right now, the factory in Ulsan builds 1.4 million vehicles per year, with 1.1 million being exported worldwide. The new EV plant will be located where Hyundai's first major manufacturing base opened more than 50 years ago. It will occupy 548,000 square meters (5.9 million square feet). The dedicated EV plant is a confirmation that Hyundai is marching toward electrification, shifting away from the internal combustion vehicles.
The construction is scheduled to be completed toward the end of 2025, while mass production is set to commence in the first quarter of 2026. The first vehicle to roll off the assembly line will be a Genesis crossover, coming from Hyundai's luxury brand.
The production center in Ulsan started operating back in 1968. By 1975, Hyundai was developing and manufacturing South Korea’s first independently developed automobiles, fighting the harsh domestic environment and skepticism against locally produced cars. Meanwhile, Hyundai was trying to enter the global market.
That is where mass production of Hyundai Motor's first unique model, the Pony, started. The factory used to build iconic models, such as the Sonata, starting in 1991, Accent, and Elantra. In 1992, the team in Ulsan completed the first drive test of the first driverless car developed and built there.
Fifty-five years later from the moment it started operating, the Hyundai Ulsan Plant is the largest single plant in the world. It is also Hyundai’s first new plant in Korea in 29 years. The last production center they opened was in Asan, back in 1996. The new one will feature innovative equipment and automated parts logistics and will implement a platform specifically designed for EVs to integrate AI-based intelligent control systems, while providing safety and efficiency.
Hyundai promises to design the plant in a manner that will reduce work fatigue and will encourage interaction. The facility will also integrate the Central Park, a relaxing rest area and a hub connecting employees. Solar panels and upcycled concrete panels will be on the building facade.
Hyundai is the world's number 3 automaker in terms of sales, with its affiliate Kia. The two of them and Genesis plan to launch 31 new electric cars by 2030. In 2022, Hyundai started the construction of another EV plant in Georgia, USA, following a $5.54 billion investment.
The first electric car from Hyundai was the Kona Electric. The Ioniq 5 crossover arrived, under the umbrella of the new sub-brand, followed by the Ioniq 6 fastback. Meanwhile, Kia is selling the EV6, and the EV9 SUV will soon hit showrooms.
The construction is scheduled to be completed toward the end of 2025, while mass production is set to commence in the first quarter of 2026. The first vehicle to roll off the assembly line will be a Genesis crossover, coming from Hyundai's luxury brand.
The production center in Ulsan started operating back in 1968. By 1975, Hyundai was developing and manufacturing South Korea’s first independently developed automobiles, fighting the harsh domestic environment and skepticism against locally produced cars. Meanwhile, Hyundai was trying to enter the global market.
That is where mass production of Hyundai Motor's first unique model, the Pony, started. The factory used to build iconic models, such as the Sonata, starting in 1991, Accent, and Elantra. In 1992, the team in Ulsan completed the first drive test of the first driverless car developed and built there.
Fifty-five years later from the moment it started operating, the Hyundai Ulsan Plant is the largest single plant in the world. It is also Hyundai’s first new plant in Korea in 29 years. The last production center they opened was in Asan, back in 1996. The new one will feature innovative equipment and automated parts logistics and will implement a platform specifically designed for EVs to integrate AI-based intelligent control systems, while providing safety and efficiency.
Hyundai promises to design the plant in a manner that will reduce work fatigue and will encourage interaction. The facility will also integrate the Central Park, a relaxing rest area and a hub connecting employees. Solar panels and upcycled concrete panels will be on the building facade.
Hyundai is the world's number 3 automaker in terms of sales, with its affiliate Kia. The two of them and Genesis plan to launch 31 new electric cars by 2030. In 2022, Hyundai started the construction of another EV plant in Georgia, USA, following a $5.54 billion investment.
The first electric car from Hyundai was the Kona Electric. The Ioniq 5 crossover arrived, under the umbrella of the new sub-brand, followed by the Ioniq 6 fastback. Meanwhile, Kia is selling the EV6, and the EV9 SUV will soon hit showrooms.
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