Hyundai Considers Raising Metaplant Capacity to 800,000 Units by 2028

Hyundai Considers Expanding Metaplant Production Capacity

Hyundai Metaplant Production Capacity could increase substantially by 2028, with CEO José Muñoz telling CNBC on August 20 that the company is considering raising planned future capacity from 500,000 units to between 700,000 and 800,000 units annually. The comments followed the reveal of the Genesis GV90 SUV and highlighted Hyundai’s broader plans to expand manufacturing in the United States. However, Hyundai Motor Company subsequently clarified that the potential increase remains under consideration and has not been confirmed. The Georgia facility currently has annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles.

Georgia Facility Supports EV and Hybrid Production

The Metaplant currently produces the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9, along with the Kia Sportage hybrid, reflecting its role in Hyundai Motor Group’s electrified vehicle manufacturing strategy. The facility began production in 2024 and is designated to build hybrid and all-electric vehicles for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. In July, Hyundai SK Battery Manufacturing America, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and SK On, also began operations at the Metaplant site. This battery manufacturing presence is intended to support the growing vehicle production ecosystem surrounding the Georgia facility.

Capacity Expansion Linked to U.S. Investment Plans

Any future increase in Metaplant capacity would form part of Hyundai’s broader plan to invest USD 26 billion in the United States through 2028. The company intends to introduce dozens of new products while increasing the proportion of vehicles it sells domestically that are also produced domestically. Hyundai has stated a goal of manufacturing at least 80% of the vehicles it sells in the United States by the end of the decade, compared with approximately 40% in 2024. Muñoz said additional manufacturing capacity would be necessary to support this objective and that Hyundai wants the expanded operations running by 2028.

Additional Manufacturing Capacity Under Evaluation

Hyundai is also evaluating additional investment outside the Georgia Metaplant to increase capacity for body-on-frame vehicles, including trucks and SUVs. Muñoz indicated that this potential expansion could be connected to an earlier collaboration involving General Motors, although he did not explicitly confirm that the collaboration would lead to a specific production project. The evaluation reflects Hyundai’s effort to strengthen its U.S. manufacturing footprint across different vehicle architectures rather than relying solely on the Georgia facility. Any such investment would add to the company’s broader capacity expansion plans.

Hyundai’s U.S. Manufacturing Strategy

The potential Metaplant expansion underscores Hyundai’s broader shift toward localized production in the U.S. market. The facility is expected to play an important role in manufacturing Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electrified vehicles while the associated battery operation strengthens local supply capabilities. Raising planned capacity to as much as 800,000 units would represent a significant increase from the currently planned 500,000-unit level, but Hyundai has not yet made the proposal official. The company’s stated localization target, new-product strategy, and planned investment through 2028 will determine how much additional production capacity is ultimately required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What production capacity is Hyundai considering for its Georgia Metaplant?
Hyundai is considering increasing future production capacity at its Georgia Metaplant to between 700,000 and 800,000 vehicles annually by 2028, compared with the previously planned 500,000-unit capacity. The proposal has not been finalized. Hyundai currently has capacity for 300,000 vehicles annually at the facility, which began production in 2024. The company produces electric and hybrid vehicles there, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and Kia Sportage hybrid. Any expansion would support Hyundai’s broader U.S. investment and domestic manufacturing strategy through 2028.