Four years ago, Hyundai Motor Group and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced an $8 billion deal in which the Korean car company and some of its suppliers would receive state subsidies to build a manufacturing plant in Coastal Georgia and create approximately 14,500 jobs.
Now, about two years into hiring timelines, the plant’s major manufacturer is making significant progress with the pace of promised job creation, while some smaller suppliers in Coastal Georgia are lagging, even as taxpayer-funded grants and incentives flow, according to an analysis by The Current GA.
The Current reviewed progress reports and agreements that detailed grant terms and hiring promises at nine supplier company sites in Bulloch, Effingham, Chatham, Bryan and Liberty counties, plus the companies located at the Bryan County Megasite, where the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) is housed.
HYUNDAI AND WHERE HIRES ARE PROMISED
Hyundai plus nine key suppliers have received state and local subsidies in exchange for promising to hire people at new plants in Chatham, Effingham, Bulloch, Bryan and Liberty Counties. The suppliers in these counties have promised about 5,200 jobs in exchange for incentives including about $22 million in cash.
The metaplant itself plus onsite affiliates plan to hire about 8,500 people; its public incentives reach about $2.1 billion.
- Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, LLC and its seven on-site affiliates confirmed 4,365 out 8,500 promised hires as of June 2026, with 2,112 employees at the main metaplant. The metaplant has until 2031 to fulfill its target. HMGMA plans to make additional hires soon to add a second production shift, with eventual plans to have three shifts.
- Daechang Seat Savannah Corp., USA confirmed 41 out of 549 promised hires as of June 2026. DSC recently made additional hires soon to add a second production shift and plans to continue in anticipation of new vehicle models in 2027. The company has until 2029 to fulfill its target. DSC produces automotive seat frames.
- Seohan Auto Georgia confirmed 56 out of 188 promised hires as of August 2026. The company has until 2029 to fulfill its target and plans to make additional hires soon to add a second production shift. Hires are generally required to hold an engineering degree. Seohan produces shafts, axels and brake systems.
- Hanon Systems confirmed 71 out of 160 promised hires. The company has until 2031 to fulfill its target, and a representative said the company is “committed to fulfilling the requirements of our agreement and is working closely with regional stakeholders. Hanon produces thermal solutions.
- Ecoplastic Corporation confirmed 268 out of 456 promised hires as of August 2026. The company has until 2032 to fulfill its target and largely hires locally. The company largely hires locally, with some international hires in demand to cater to bilingual needs of workers and clients. In establishing new hiring strategies, a representative said the company is navigating both the in-state labor market and changing immigration law. Ecoplastic produces exterior and interior plastic.
- Joon Georgia, a subsidiary of Ajin USA, has completed approximately 430 out of 630 promised hires. The company has until 2030 to fulfill its target and said “production requirements have necessitated hiring beyond the required annual headcount levels.” PHA produces body parts and electronics.
- PHA has completed 34 out of 403 promised hires. The company has until 2029 to fulfill its target. PHA produces doors, tailgates and hood latches. The Current reached out to a representative three times to confirm this data, but the company did not respond prior to publication.
- Hyundai Mobis of the Richmond Hill facility has completed 416 out of 1,578 promised hires. The company has until 2031 to fulfill its target and produce power electric systems. The Current reached out to a representative, who was unable to confirm this data.
- Seoyon E-HWA has completed 88 out of 500 promised hires. The company has until 2029 to fulfill its target. Seoyon is located in Chatham County and produces door trims, headlining seats, bumpers, interior and exterior components and C/PAD. The Current reached out to a representative three times to confirm this data, but the company did not respond prior to publication.
- Sewon America has completed 243 out of 740 promised hires. The company has until 2029 to fulfill its target, and has since expanded to include 100 additional jobs. Sewon produces stamped body components. A representative for Sewon declined to confirm this data and hiring plans due to the “competitive” recruiting market.
Twelve other publicly named Georgia-based suppliers are either located in other parts of the state, did not receive a state subsidy or are too early in the development process to have a progress report.
HMGMA confirmed 2,112 employees at the Ellabell manufacturing plant as of August, while its seven affiliates also located on the site had approximately 2,250 staff. The totals just surpass 50% of the 8,500 jobs promised in its contract with the state.
As the company at the top of the automaking chain in Coastal Georgia, and the one making the most hires, HMGMA received the biggest subsidy: around $2.1 billion in state and local tax breaks, tax credits, other inducements plus $50 million cash.
Nine smaller companies feeding parts to Hyundai so far have received cash grants totaling about $22 million plus various tax breaks and other sweeteners in the counties closest to the plant. Together, these smaller companies have promised to hire about 5,200 people total. So far, they are employing approximately 1,665 workers, according to The Current’s analysis.
The milestones are being celebrated by state leaders, who say that Hyundai’s investments promise “transformational wealth and opportunity” to the state.
“As facilities come online and ramp up, this will bring transformational wealth and opportunity to a region of our state that has been overlooked for too long,” according to a statement from Gov. Brian Kemp’s office. “As we continue to maintain an open dialogue with the job creators working to reach those goals, we remain confident in our pro-business approach to attracting these investments to create mutual prosperity.”
Hyundai, meanwhile, remains committed to making the Ellabell plant a cornerstone of the company’s ambitious investment in U.S. manufacturing.
“Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America made a long-term commitment to Georgia that goes well beyond building vehicles,” HMGMA communications manager Bianca Johnson said in an email. “Our success and the region’s success are connected.”
Savannah Economic Development Authority CEO Trip Tollison says that Hyundai’s initiatives have been positive for Coastal Georgia’s economy and workers.
“As it relates to the job growth on the megasite that the JDA created, I think that progress is definitely meeting our expectations.” Tollison said. “Knock on wood, we’re not getting phone calls from folks upset that they’re not able to hire the right people.”
The manufacturing growth also shows that what he called the “incentive game” used by Georgia leaders and local development authorities to attract major employers has worked according to plan.
Georgia was competing against Tennessee, Virginia and South Carolina to win Hyundai over. The state stood out with its site-readiness, including proper zoning and public property ownership, Tollison said.
“Don’t hate the player, hate the game,” Tollison said. “I would argue that what we do is probably some of the most competitive development work on the planet because every state has their own bucket of incentives.”
Due to the Gratuities Clause of the Georgia Constitution, Georgia is among few in the county that does not allow companies to directly receive taxpayer funds. That means state leaders and development authorities must instead invest in infrastructure such as new electricity lines, new roads and site grading to attract companies.
“We had the lowest incentive offer compared to the other three states, but we had the best site, and we had the best workforce reputation and everything,” Tollison said. “That’s why they chose us.”
Hyundai CEO José Muñoz has frequently cited company plans to increase capacity at the Ellabell plant as part of Hyundai’s investment in U.S. car production. However, demand in the U.S. auto market overall has decreased amidst increasing gas prices, costs of cars and tariffs.
Tollison says that should help Hyundai’s competitive advantage and ensure success at the Coastal Georgia plant.
“Because of gas prices, hybrid models and EV models are stronger and stronger every day,” Tollison said. “Of course, that’s a big plus for the plant here, but the industry as a whole, nobody’s buying new cars like they were.”