Behind the Scenes: A Look at Hyundai Manufacturing
Hyundai is headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from investing in the development of engineering and manufacturing infrastructure in the United States. Its best-selling vehicles are made right here in America and brought to you, with the help of nearly 100,000 employees, from design to manufacturing, to sales and service right here at Heritage Hyundai Towson. Hyundai is proud to be a part of the American economy and workforce, and we are proud to be a part of the Hyundai family, because of its commitment to value and excellence.
Made in America
Montgomery, Alabama is home to a $1.7 billion manufacturing facility, dedicated to building nearly half of the Hyundai vehicles sold in the United States. With 3,000 employees and the capacity to produce up to 400,000 cars annually, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama is an incredible powerhouse for producing some of the most reliable cars prowling American roads. But those vehicles aren’t just sold in America. They are also exported to Canada and Puerto Rico. The Hyundai Elantra, Sonata, and Santa Fe are all built at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama plant, along with engines in an adjacent engine plant.
Beyond just creating high-quality cars, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama is also committed to its employees and to our planet. With goals to improve workplace diversity, safety, and the surrounding community, it’s easy to see why the technicians at the assembly plant are so dedicated to the Hyundai family. The plant is also committed to preventing pollution, improving methods for sustainability, and conforming with existing environmental regulations.
The Headquarters of Innovation
The research and development headquarters for Hyundai is based near Ann Arbor, Michigan. Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc (HATCI) opened in 1986. HATCI is responsible for meeting requirements and regulations in the United States automotive market. Emissions, safety, design, and engineering are all developed here for each model created for North America. This 220,000-square foot facility is where some of the most innovative engineering minds in the world collaborate on the newest features and models from the automaker. For the engineers that have chosen to create these amazing machines, their mission is simple:
Through the collaborative and passionate drive of our dedicated and creative experts, we will become a highly respected R&D organization. We will increase our responsibility for the Americas by creating and applying innovative technology, developing products customers want and continuously improving quality
California Proving Grounds
After new vehicles live up to the standards of Hyundai’s designers and engineers, they must be put to the test. In 2005, Hyundai opened its proving ground facility in California City, California. The 4,300-acre, $60-million facility features a 6.4-mile oval track, a 2-million-square-foot Vehicle Dynamics Area, a 2.75-mile winding track, and a 3.3-mile hill road, along with other surface roads that simulate highways. This facility takes the amazing vehicles created by the brilliant minds of Hyundai and pushes their limits in handling, power, comfort, safety, and aerodynamics.
The Hyundai-Kia Motors California Proving Ground will ensure that Hyundai and Kia continue to develop the highest quality vehicles. Hyundai and Kia are committed to the U.S., and this facility will help us design vehicles that appeal to consumers in this market as well as worldwide.
- Dong Jin Kim, vice chairman, Hyundai Motor Company
The team here at Heritage Hyundai Towson is just as passionate about helping you find the right Hyundai as the automaker is about creating them. Check out our inventory to see the fruits of such impressive labor and contact us to schedule a test drive.
Image Credit: Hyundai