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, Porsche and Groupe PSA, 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

942K

Automotive-Related Production Employment

In the Southeast (Lighcast 2023.4Q)

30,300

Jobs Created by Locations & Expansions

2021 - 2023

3,000

Employees at Kia's Plant in West Point

Business Wise 2023

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
TD Automotive Compressor Georgia (Pendergrass), 1,200 workers
Cottrell Inc. (Gainesville), 1,100 workers
Textron Specialized Vehicles (Augusta), 1,100 workers
Hitachi Astemo Americas Inc. (Monroe), 900 workers
Hyundai Transys Georgia Seating Systems (West Point), 900 workers
Inalfa Roof Systems Inc. (Acworth), 860 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 to Build First Fully Dedicated Electric Vehicle and Battery Manufacturing Facility in Georgia

Hyundai Motor Group will invest $5.54 billion in opening its first state-of-the-art U.S. smart factory fully dedicated electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing. This will create 8,100 jobs in Georgia's coastal region. Construction is expected to begin on the new facility in January 2023, with full production expected in the first half of 2025, with annual capacity of 300,000 units.

“The U.S. has always held an important place in the Group’s global strategy, and we are excited to partner with the State of Georgia to achieve our shared goal of electrified mobility and sustainability in the U.S.” - Euisun Chung, Executive Chair, Hyundai Motor Group

Source, "Hyundai Motor Group to Invest $5.54 Billion in Georgia at First Fully Dedicated Electric Vehicle and Battery Manufacturing Facility," GDEcD press release, 5.20.2022

Seoyon E-HWA Joins Growing List of Hyundai Suppliers, Nearly Doubles Georgia Employment

"With the establishment of Seoyon E-Hwa Savannah, we hope that it will not only provide new jobs in the region but also contribute to making Savannah a central city for automobile development and production." - Ryu Yang-seok, Seoyon E-Hwa Chairman

Source: "Gov. Kemp: Seoyon E-HWA Joins Growing List of Hyundai Suppliers, Nearly Doubles Georgia Employment," Office of the Governor Press Release, 2.1.2023

83K

Jobs at Automotive-Related Facilities

In Georgia with 50+ Employees (GPC ED)

194

Automotive-Related Facilities in Georgia

With 50+ Employees (GPC ED, 2023)

31K

Automotive-Related Engineers

and Technicians in GA (Lightcast 2023.4Q)

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 7.8% annually since 2000, reaching $11.2 billion in 2022, accounting for 19.2% 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 164,000 production workers in Georgia in auto-applicable fields.