Hyundai Motor Group is steering through a turbulent period in Georgia, reaffirming its commitment to massive expansion plans even as a high-profile immigration raid and diplomatic tensions threaten to cloud the state’s economic outlook. On September 18, 2025, Hyundai confirmed it will move forward with a $2.7 billion investment to expand its Metaplant near Savannah, Georgia, promising 3,000 new jobs and a significant boost to the state’s burgeoning automotive industry. This announcement comes just two weeks after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at the construction site of Hyundai’s joint-venture battery plant with LG, which resulted in the arrest of nearly 500 foreign nationals—over 300 of them South Korean citizens—casting a shadow of uncertainty over foreign investment in the region.
The September 4 ICE raid, described by sources including Global Atlanta and the Associated Press as the largest ever at a single location, unfolded with dramatic intensity. News of the arrests, detentions, and deportations spread rapidly across Asia, with returning detainees sharing harrowing accounts that stoked investor anxiety. The raid, targeting a $4.3 billion battery plant under construction, has not only delayed the facility’s opening by at least two months but also triggered a diplomatic dispute between South Korea and the United States, as reported by AP and Global Atlanta.
Despite these setbacks, Hyundai’s leadership has doubled down on its U.S. ambitions. The company’s latest $2.7 billion pledge will raise production capacity at the Ellabell site by 200,000 vehicles over the next three years, reaching a robust 500,000 vehicles annually. This expansion—first hinted at during the plant’s grand opening in March and reiterated in August with an additional $5 billion U.S. investment—cements Georgia as a linchpin in Hyundai’s North American strategy. According to Hyundai spokesperson Michael Stewart, the new investment will also support group affiliates, bringing the total outlay for the auto plant to $10.3 billion, excluding the battery plant partnership with LG.
Hyundai’s ambitions are nothing short of global. The automaker aims to ramp up worldwide production to 5.6 million vehicles annually by 2030, with a striking 60% of those being electrified—either hybrid or battery-electric, as noted by AP. In Georgia, 10 models of electric and hybrid vehicles will be produced, up from the two currently assembled as the plant scales up. The company has also set its sights on making more than 80% of vehicles sold in the U.S. domestically by 2030, increasing domestic content from 60% to 80%. This shift not only reflects changing consumer demand but also a strategic response to evolving trade policies and incentives.
One of the most intriguing developments is Hyundai’s pivot toward hybrids. The company originally envisioned the Georgia plant as a pure-electric vehicle (EV) factory, but with the repeal of certain incentives and a slowdown in EV demand, the focus has shifted. CEO José Muñoz explained that the ramp-up will now be "driven mainly by hybrids"—a move that aligns with global trends and the company’s plan to introduce more than 18 new hybrid models by 2030. Ten of these hybrid and EV models will be produced at the Metaplant America site, signaling Hyundai’s confidence in hybrid technology as a bridge to a fully electric future.
Hyundai is also betting big on innovation. By 2027, the company plans to launch extended-range EVs that combine smaller, in-house batteries with conventional gasoline motors, targeting a range of over 600 miles. The lineup will include a mid-size pickup truck tailored for the U.S. market, joining the existing Santa Cruz compact pickup that debuted in 2021. These vehicles are designed to address "range anxiety"—a persistent concern among American consumers—and to position Hyundai as a leader in next-generation automotive technology.
The ICE raid, however, has left its mark. The $4.3 billion battery plant, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution, was directly impacted, with the opening now pushed to the first half of 2026. Hyundai’s Chief Administrative Officer Brent Stubbs sought to reassure stakeholders in an opinion piece published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, writing, "This situation doesn't change our plans to continue expanding and localizing in the United States. Our investments in America are part of a long-term strategic plan."
Georgia officials have also moved quickly to contain the fallout and restore confidence. Governor Brian Kemp, speaking at a recent ceremony for another electric vehicle plant, expressed optimism that Georgia’s "business advantages would win out" in attracting and retaining foreign investment. He added, "I've had good conversations with companies that are here doing business in Georgia, companies that are looking to do business here. And I've had good conversations with people in the White House about the visa issue."
Pat Wilson, Georgia’s Commissioner of Economic Development, echoed this sentiment on LinkedIn, stating, "Today is a day to celebrate – Hyundai is continuing its historic investments in its state-of-the-art Georgia facility. From the beginning, Hyundai and our state and local partners have made this partnership a mission to maximize the possibilities for the future." State and local governments have sweetened the deal with $2.1 billion in tax breaks and incentives, underscoring the high stakes involved in keeping Hyundai—and its thousands of jobs—in Georgia.
Currently, Hyundai and its affiliates employ 3,129 workers at the Ellabell site, with a pledge to hire at least 8,500 by the end of 2031. The plant’s expansion is the centerpiece of Hyundai’s plan to boost production by 1.2 million vehicles worldwide each year, with additional increases planned in India, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and North Africa. The company’s global reach and willingness to invest heavily in U.S. manufacturing reflect both its ambitions and the fierce competition in the automotive sector.
Yet, the company’s relationship with U.S. policymakers has not been without friction. Tami Overby, a Korea trade expert at DGA Group, noted that Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Eui-sun’s absence from a recent White House visit may signal lingering discontent, especially after the imposition of 25 percent auto tariffs in April. Overby remarked, "I’m not sure the Americans even realized that maybe he’s a little unhappy. And I can certainly understand why." She emphasized that restoring investor confidence will require visible efforts to prevent a repeat of the immigration raid, adding, "And every Georgian in this room, y’all need to pray that happens, because you want these investors to move forward."
The ICE raid has become a flashpoint for debate, with critics questioning the appropriateness of the arrests and their impact on the U.S.-South Korea relationship. As Global Atlanta and AP reported, the controversy has forced both Hyundai and Georgia officials to walk a diplomatic tightrope—balancing the demands of U.S. law enforcement with the need to maintain robust foreign investment and economic growth.
As Hyundai pushes ahead with its expansion in Georgia, the company’s leaders, state officials, and local communities are all watching closely. The stakes are high—not just for the future of the Metaplant and the thousands of jobs it promises, but for Georgia’s reputation as a welcoming home for global industry in an era of shifting policies and unpredictable headwinds.
