Governor Kay Ivey and local elected officials on Wednesday joined Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) to celebrate of the grand opening of HMMA’s cylinder head machining plant.
The new Montgomery plant is the third facility at HMMA to support production of more than 650,000 engines per year. The plant represents a $388 million total investment to manufacture engine cylinder heads and enhance existing operations to support the production of new Sonata and Elantra sedan models.
“Hyundai is an important member of Alabama’s dynamic auto industry, and this expansion at its Montgomery manufacturing facility will power the global automaker’s drive for future growth in the U.S.,” Ivey has said.
This investment also created 50 new jobs.
“With our latest expansion, HMMA continues to show its strong commitment to the people of Montgomery and the people of Alabama,” Hyundai President and CEO Dong Ryeol Choi said when plans for the new engine plant were announced in 2018. “Hyundai is continuing its track record of investing in new manufacturing technologies to ensure the long-term success of our U.S. assembly plant.”
HMMA’s engine plants will now produce two all-new 4-cylinder engines for the all-new 2020 Sonata sedan: the Smartstream 2.5L Gasoline Direct Injection 4-cylinder engine, and the Smartstream 1.6L Turbo Gasoline Direct Injection 4-cylinder engine. These engines will offer Hyundai customers world-class fuel efficiency and reliability. They will be built using enhanced technology for high-precision machining and manufacturing.
Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange released a statement, emphasizing, “This latest expansion continues to demonstrate the long-term commitment between Hyundai and the entire Montgomery community. When Hyundai wins, Montgomery wins.”
“We are so proud of Hyundai’s track record of success and stand steadfast in our continued support of HMMA. Their success cascades down into every facet of our community in a very positive way,” he added.
The new, 260,000 square foot building was constructed using advanced techniques, such as the inclusion of isolation pads for machining equipment which will lead to more precise machining. The building required more than 7,000 cubic yards of concrete and the movement of 150 football fields worth of dirt.
“This expansion is a testament of Hyundai’s ability to deliver next-generation products and services,” Willie Durham, chairman of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, stated. “This new project signifies a continued investment in Montgomery’s skilled tech workforce, and the Montgomery – Hyundai partnership. These advanced manufacturing job opportunities will build a diverse talent pipeline and attract and retain a skilled workforce.”
As we cut the ribbon on the new @Hyundai engine production facility today, we’re celebrating even more than a $388 million investment. We’re celebrating 50 more Alabamians earning a wage & the fact that we have a booming automotive industry. #MadeinAL pic.twitter.com/GQJvwnj6Wf
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) May 15, 2019
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
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