Despite its ambitious plans, the project has encountered challenges, including two worker fatalities during construction and ongoing environmental concerns related to water usage and wastewater management.

These issues have drawn public scrutiny and opposition, prompting Hyundai to address wastewater problems by trucking sewage to treatment facilities due to high heavy metal levels.

The manufacturing process at the new facility incorporates advanced smart technology, including autonomous guided vehicles and automated mobile robots, enhancing production efficiency.

The plant features advanced manufacturing areas, including a stamp shop and general assembly area, designed with employee well-being in mind, such as open layouts and natural lighting.

The company began electric vehicle production in Georgia six months ago, employing over 1,200 workers at a sprawling 3,000-acre facility that produces vehicles at an impressive rate of one every minute.

As President Trump prepares to announce tariffs on auto imports, Hyundai's U.S.-made vehicles will be exempt, providing a competitive edge for the company.

To support workforce needs projected to rise significantly, Hyundai has partnered with local technical colleges to train workers, ensuring a skilled labor pool for the future.

Hyundai's CEO, Jose Munoz, emphasized the strategic timing of the plant's opening, noting the benefits of tariff exemptions for vehicles produced locally.

In addition to the steel plant, Hyundai is also investing in innovation, with plans to co-develop autonomous driving services and commercialize an eVTOL vehicle by 2028.

Hyundai has made a significant commitment to U.S. manufacturing with a $20 billion investment, which includes a $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana, marking its largest investment in the country to date.

Experts predict that the new facility will have a substantial economic impact, creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs and positively influencing local education, retail, and housing markets.

During the grand opening, Governor Brian Kemp highlighted the collaboration between Hyundai and local educational institutions, underscoring the importance of workforce development for high-quality jobs.