MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama today announced its support to increase COVID-19 testing in Montgomery and surrounding counties through a collaborative effort with Mayor Steven Reed.
Hyundai’s Alabama operation (HMMA) is coordinating an in-kind donation of 10,000 COVID-19 RT-PCR tests developed by Seegene, a South Korean molecular diagnostics firm. Seegene’s test can simultaneously detect three genes of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
HMMA President and CEO Byungjin Jin said the support stems from a request from Mayor Reed for help in locating more tests for Montgomery and surrounding communities when the first COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Alabama.
“He recognized South Korea’s best practice of extensive drive-thru testing was critical to protecting the health care workers and patients from potential spread of novel coronavirus, while critically identifying those most in need,” he said. “HMMA is honored to safeguard the health of citizens in Alabama.”
CRITICAL TESTING
Reed said Hyundai has shown an “unyielding commitment” to the Montgomery region through job creation, capital investment and generous corporate giving. Its auto assembly plant in Montgomery employs more than 3,000 people and announced a $410 million expansion in November.
“Today, Hyundai builds upon this legacy of charity by donating thousands of coronavirus tests to save countless lives and help stop the spread of COVID-19 in our city, our state and our region,” Reed said.
“We thank Hyundai’s global leadership and President Jin locally for prioritizing the health and well-being of HMMA’s team members, as well as that of their families and neighbors throughout Montgomery,” he added.
HMMA has previously provided support to local medical providers with donations of food and protective face shields. Hyundai Motor America and its Hyundai Hope On Wheels program have donated $200,000 to the University of Alabama at Birmingham to help expand community testing efforts.
“The support from the business community to COVID-19 has been nothing short of remarkable,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “Hyundai Motor Manufacturing is an integral part of Alabama’s economy and an invaluable partner to the River Region.
“By providing these critical testing kits, they are truly saving lives.”
Hyundai is the first automaker to supply the Seegene tests in the U.S., and it is distributing them to select institutions in hard-hit areas such as New Orleans, Chicago and Detroit.
