Automotive Manufacturing

Georgia: The Epicenter of Growth in the Southeastern Auto Corridor

Why Georgia for Automotive Manufacturing?

From Kia’s expanding $1 billion manufacturing plant to Hyundai Motor Group's announced facility that will employ 8,100 workers and the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, Georgia auto companies get a competitive edge from a prime location in the epicenter of the region’s auto manufacturing boom, with close proximity to a canvas of manufacturers.

Georgia's strengths:

Automotive epicenter
Highly-skilled talent
Renowned workforce training program
Excellent accessibility to market
Business-friendly environment

Driving Kia to Georgia

940K

Automotive-Related Production Employment

In the Southeast (Lighcast 2025.4Q)

7,900

Jobs Created by Locations & Expansions

2023 - 2025

3,000

Employees at Kia's Plant in West Point

Business Wise 2025

Largest Automotive Manufacturing Locations in Georgia

SK Battery America (Commerce), 3,000 workers
Kia Georgia Inc. (West Point), 3,000 workers
Toyo Tire North America Manufacturing (White), 2,000 workers
Blue Bird Corp. (Fort Valley), 1,900 workers
Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp. (Newnan), 1,800 workers
Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (Ellabell), 1,450 workers
Hitachi Astemo Americas Inc. (Monroe), 1,200 workers
TD Automotive Compressor Georgia (Pendergrass), 1,200 workers
Cottrell Inc. (Gainesville), 1,100 workers
Textron Specialized Vehicles (Augusta), 1,100 workers
Mobis North America Electrified Powertrain (Ellabell), 1,100 workers

Recent Automotive Locations in Georgia

Over the last three years, automotive companies continue to choose Georgia for their new locations, while current companies expand to meet demand. Here are a few recent examples of companies now calling Georgia home.

Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Celebrates Grand Opening, Powering U.S. Economic Growth

“Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America not only represents the Group’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and commitment to innovation, but also our investment in relationships with our partners and communities right here in Georgia,” said Euisun Chung, Executive Chair of Hyundai Motor Group.

Source: "Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Celebrates Grand Opening, Powering U.S. Economic Growth," Hyundai newsroom, 3.27.2025

Rivian to Establish East Coast Headquarters in Atlanta

"We are excited to establish our East Coast head office in Atlanta. Atlanta embodies so much that makes Georgia great—top talent, exceptional creativity, and a desire to always be moving forward," said RJ Scaringe, Founder and CEO of Rivian

Source: "500-person office space to complement new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Georgia," Rivian Press Release, 7.72025

78K

Jobs at Automotive-Related Facilities

In Georgia with 50+ Employees (GPC ED)

206

Automotive-Related Facilities in Georgia

With 50+ Employees (GPC ED, 2025)

30K

Automotive-Related Engineers

and Technicians in GA (Lightcast 2025.4Q)

Georgia is at the Center of the Thriving Southeastern Automotive Industry

Georgia is at the heart of the rapidly expanding Southeastern Automotive Corridor.

The Southeast has become the location of choice for new OEM locations producing electric vehicles as well as adding EVs to current production lines.
Georgia’s transportation equipment exports grew 7.5% annually since 2000, reaching $14.2 billion in 2024, accounting for 20% of the Southeast's total.

Georgia offers an ample supply of skilled employees with a variety of technical backgrounds important to the success of the automotive manufacturing industry. There are currently nearly 160,000 production workers in Georgia in auto-applicable fields.