MONTGOMERY, AL -- Mong-Koo Chung, chairman of Hyundai Automotive Group, along with Alabama Governor, Bob Riley, and other elected officials celebrated the grand opening of Hyundai's first U.S. manufacturing facility. The $1.1 billion plant, called Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC (HMMA), has been under construction since 2002.

The plant employs more than 2,000 people and in addition, 64 suppliers have located businesses throughout North America to support Hyundai's new plant. These suppliers are expected to create 5,500 additional jobs with a combined capital investment of $500 million.

"This new manufacturing facility reaffirms Hyundai's commitment toward investing in the U.S. economy, as well as its commitment toward U.S. consumers," said Chairman Chung. "American consumers have recognized Hyundai's quality, and this plant will enable us to better serve them."

The two-million square-foot manufacturing plant resides on 1,744 acres of land and includes a stamping facility, paint shop, vehicle assembly shop, a two-mile test track and an engine shop, where the all-new Hyundai 3.3-liter V6 engine is produced. In May, the facility marked the official start of production with its first saleable 2006 Sonata. HMMA will produce 300,000 vehicles per year at full capacity.

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