Hyundai rushing to open Georgia plant because of law rewarding domestic electric vehicle production

The Hyundai company logo is displayed Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

A top Hyundai executive said Tuesday that the company is rushing to start electric vehicle and battery production as soon as possible at a $7.6 billion complex in coastal Georgia, spurred by federal electric vehicle incentives that reward domestic production.

Hyundai President and Global Chief Operating Officer Jose Munoz made the remarks to reporters in Atlanta after signing a partnership with Georgia Tech aimed at strengthening research into hydrogen-fueled vehicles and producing workers for the Korean company. Among the attendees was Euisun Chung, executive chairman of parent Hyundai Motor Group.

The group, which also makes Kia and Genesis vehicles, has complained that the Inflation Reduction Act is unfair to companies importing electric batteries or vehicles from outside North America. The massive federal law, one of President Joe Biden’s signature accomplishments, is aimed in part at combating climate change. The law provides a tax credit that saves EV buyers up to $7,500, but only on cars made in North America with domestic batteries.