With the announcement last week that it intends to create the new Santa Cruz compact utility vehicle at its Montgomery, Ala., production facility, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama pledged to a $410 million expansion and 200 new jobs for the region.
Production of the new vehicle line should begin in 2021, following a 230,000 square foot addition to the stamping, welding and parts processing areas of the existing manufacturing complex. In further good news for the area’s economic outlook, Hyundai said that beyond the 200 directly related jobs, demands on their local suppliers and logistics companies could yield around 1,000 additional jobs.
Gov. Kay Ivey hailed the move and was on hand alongside Hyundai executives during last week’s announcement.
“Alabama and Hyundai have developed a great partnership over the years, and it’s a testament to our special relationship that this world-class automaker is expanding once again in Montgomery,” Ivey said. “Hyundai’s new investment is giving more Alabama families an opportunity to earn a good living while also strengthening the state’s growing auto industry.”
Positions linked to the new expansion should begin to be filled in the second half of 2020. New employees will join a facility of workers that have produced 4.5 million vehicles for the North American market since 2005.
“Hyundai’s decision to expand its Alabama production line-up to include the all-new Santa Cruz represents a milestone for the company’s Montgomery manufacturing operation,” Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said. “This is another exciting development for Hyundai in Alabama, and we are eager to see what the future holds for the company in our state.”