Hyundai CEO José Muñoz announced the automaker is considering a significant increase in production capacity at its new Georgia Metaplant, potentially boosting output from 500,000 to 700,000-800,000 units annually by 2028. This expansion is part of a $26 billion U.S. investment plan, aiming to produce 80% of vehicles sold in the U.S. domestically, and would make it the nation’s largest vehicle assembly plant. Muñoz also noted that U.S. tariffs have played a role in accelerating these localization efforts.
SAN FRANCISCO – Hyundai Motor is contemplating a significant expansion of its U.S. manufacturing footprint, specifically at its new multi-billion-dollar vehicle assembly plant in Georgia, CEO José Muñoz disclosed to CNBC on Thursday.
Muñoz indicated that the South Korean automaker might elevate the projected production capacity of its Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America from an initial 500,000 units to a staggering 700,000 to 800,000 units annually by 2028.
José Muñoz, CEO of Hyundai Motor Co., addresses a press meeting during Milan Design Week, as Hyundai unveils the new Ioniq 3 electric vehicle in Milan, Italy, April 20, 2026.
Claudia Greco | Reuters
"For us, the USA is the most important market in the world besides Korea, which is our headquarters," Muñoz stated during an exclusive interview following the debut of the company's flagship Genesis GV90 SUV.
This potential surge in capacity forms a key part of Hyundai's broader strategy to inject $26 billion into its U.S. operations through 2028. The company is set to launch numerous new products and aims to produce at least 80% of its U.S.-sold vehicles domestically by the decade's end, a substantial leap from approximately 40% in 2024.
"For that purpose, we need to add more capacity," he affirmed. "We want to have all this up and running by 2028. That is our intention."
Following the interview, Hyundai clarified that these plans are currently under consideration and have not been officially confirmed.
If realized, an annual output of 700,000 to 800,000 vehicles would establish the Georgia plant as the largest vehicle assembly operation by capacity in the United States, surpassing major facilities operated by industry giants such as Tesla and Toyota Motor.
Muñoz also revealed that Hyundai is exploring further investment opportunities for capacity beyond the Georgia Metaplant, specifically for body-on-frame vehicles like trucks and SUVs, though he refrained from disclosing additional specifics.
"We are always, always assessing the opportunities that we have in the market," he emphasized.
The Hyundai Metaplant under construction in Ellabell, Georgia, Sept. 9, 2025.
Elijah Nouvelage | AFP | Getty Images
The CEO pointed out that President Donald Trump's imposed tariffs, including a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea, have played a role in accelerating the company's U.S. production agenda.
"Tariffs are helping accelerate our localization plan. That's very, very simple," he explained. "The good thing is that we had already started before tariffs were announced. So in a way it's helping us to accelerate."
Hyundai initially announced the Georgia plant in 2022, and since then, plans for the $7.6 billion facility have continued to expand. It is designed to manufacture hybrid and all-electric vehicles across Hyundai, Genesis, and Kia brands. Currently, the Metaplant produces the all-electric Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 9, alongside the Kia Sportage hybrid.
Muñoz, who made history last year as the first non-Korean CEO of the automaker, highlighted that the company’s ambitious plans encompass producing a diverse range of vehicles at the plant and creating thousands of jobs. The initial plan for 500,000 units anticipated over 8,500 employees at the Georgia megasite, complemented by an additional 6,900 individuals at off-site suppliers.
Even before the Metaplant became operational, Hyundai has witnessed substantial U.S. sales growth this decade. Sales for the Hyundai brand and its parent company, which includes Kia and Genesis, have surged by nearly 50%, according to company reports and Mobility Global. Hyundai's U.S. market share climbed from 8.4% in 2020 to 11.2% last year, as reported by Mobility Global (formerly S&P Global Mobility).
