Hyundai-SK On joint venture begins production at Georgia battery plant

Plant to supply batteries for Hyundai, Kia, Genesis EVs

• The Hyundai-SK On joint venture began commercial production of battery cells at a $5 billion plant in Bartow County, Georgia, on July 15.
• The factory covers 752 acres and employs more than 3,500 people, with an annual production capacity of 35 gigawatt-hours.
• The battery cells will be assembled into packs by Hyundai Mobis and used in Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicles manufactured at the Savannah-area Metaplant.
• SK On also operates a wholly owned battery facility in Commerce, Georgia, adding to its regional production footprint.

Hyundai Motor Group and SK On established the joint venture, Hyundai-SK Battery Manufacturing America, in 2023, with each company holding a 50% stake. The plant’s initial battery cells are being supplied to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America near Savannah, that company’s first dedicated electric vehicle mass-production facility in the United States. The Metaplant produces vehicles for the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis brands.

The factory is currently in the early stages of production and plans to gradually expand output, a company representative said. When fully operational, the plant’s 35-gigawatt-hour annual capacity will be sufficient to supply batteries for about 300,000 electric vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group previously said battery cells made at the joint plant would be assembled into battery packs by Hyundai Mobis, an auto parts affiliate. The packs are expected to be used in Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicles manufactured in the United States.

The Bartow County plant adds to SK On’s battery production presence in Georgia. The company also operates a wholly owned facility in Commerce under SK Battery America. For Hyundai Motor Group, the plant provides a local source of batteries as the automaker expands electric and hybrid vehicle production in the United States.