By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced Tuesday that Hyundai will be adding a third shift to their Alabama factory. The third shift at the Montgomery car factory will start this September. The plant will be accepting job applications and start training workers for the 877 new jobs within weeks.
Governor Bentley said, “Recently, I led a delegation to Korea on a business mission in, which we shared our commitment to Hyundai’s future growth in Alabama. This week’s announcement of hundreds of additional jobs comes as a result of Hyundai building popular, dependable vehicles and Alabama providing an excellent location where international companies can succeed.”
The President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) Young Deuk Limm said, “The continued success of Hyundai’s Sonata and Elantra in North America is a direct reflection of the dedication to quality and craftsmanship by every HMMA team member. This commitment is the key reason Hyundai Motor Company chose to continue to invest in the people of Alabama and increase vehicle production in Montgomery.”
Governor Bentley said, “With the announcement of an additional shift at Hyundai, we will be putting more people in Alabama back to work. I congratulate Hyundai on this achievement as well as the vision and execution of a solid business plan by Hyundai Motors Chairman Chung and HMMA President Lim.”
Alabama Department of Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield said, “This is how successful advanced manufacturing can be in Alabama. We have the workforce, a favorable business environment, and all of the other ingredients needed for successful growth.”
The Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) will assist HMMA to find and hire the necessary workers. Increasing production at HMMA will also create more jobs with their suppliers. HMMA makes both the Sonata and the Elantra at HMMA in Montgomery. The Sonata is Hyundai’s best selling automobile. 33% of Hyundai’s U.S. sales are Montgomery built Sonatas. The Elantra, which is also built in South Korea accounts for 31% of Hyundai’s American sales. The factory also exports Hyundais to Canada. The third shift will increase Hyundai’s capacity at the plant to another 20,000 cars and will increase employment at the plant to 3,000.
Hyundai Motor Company is based in Seoul, South Korea. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama is headquartered in Montgomery, Ala. and is an independent manufacturing operation of the Hyundai Motor Company.
Canfield said when the Alabama business mission spoke in Korea they discussed their strategic visioning plan (Accelerate Alabama.) Chairman Chung also explained the importance of maintaining a high level of standards within the company and its suppliers while still meeting increasing consumer demand.
March was Hyundai’s best month for sales ever.
To read Governor Bentley’s press release in its entirety:
http://www.governor.alabama.gov/news/news_detail.aspx?ID=6414
