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Experiencing the 2026 Ioniq 9 SUV at Hyundai’s Metaplant in Georgia feels like taking a victory lap for the South Korean automaker. This electric flagship model offers three spacious rows of seating, emerging from a company whose EVs and hybrids represent one in four sales in the U.S.
The Ioniq 9 and its smaller variant, the Ioniq 5, are rolling off the line in a state-of-the-art factory, positioning Hyundai to better navigate the economic landscape shaped by tariffs and the push for onshoring from the previous administration. Observing these electric SUVs being assembled in the impeccably clean facility highlights the strategic timing of Hyundai, reinforced by towering robots that aid in production.
A visit to the $7.6 billion factory reveals how many automakers are sticking to their long-planned EV strategies, despite potential shifts in support for EV manufacturing and consumer incentives under current political pressures.
From above, the Metaplant appears like a large circuit board spread over 3,000 acres of Georgia farmland, featuring 11 low-slung, pale-green buildings that encompass a massive 7.5 million square feet. One of these structures is a $4 billion battery plant, collaboratively operated with LG Energy Solution, set to begin supplying cells for Ioniq models next year. Hyundai is also accelerating plans for a second battery facility with SK On in Georgia, and a forthcoming steel plant in Louisiana signifies the automaker’s dedication to its largest global market. All of this is part of a $21 billion investment in the U.S. projected through 2028, predominantly committed during the administration aimed at promoting EV initiatives.
As I drive into the factory, I see freshly painted cars being transported on a conveyor belt across a windowed bridge, allowing drivers on Interstate 16 to witness the productivity of a plant that will ultimately produce 500,000 EVs and hybrids annually—surpassing Tesla’s Texas Gigafactory capacity of 375,000. The publicly funded facility currently employs 1,340 “Metapros,” projected to raise the local payroll close to $497 million within a few years, with the potential for 8,500 jobs at the site and an additional 7,000 jobs in the local supply chain.
This is a significant number of jobs compared to the experience I had in a Detroit factory during the 1980s, which was marked by heat, grime, and safety hazards. The Metaplant, in stark contrast, feels like a modern museum of manufacturing innovation.
However, this factory also brings to light a modern manufacturing paradox: as companies strive to compete with China’s EV and battery industry, there is an increasing reliance on AI-powered robots, capable of functioning continuously without the need for breaks or benefits. This reliance could imply fewer job opportunities for human workers.
At the loading docks, Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) efficiently transport parts from delivery trucks, neatly avoiding obstacles and workers. AI plays a crucial role in streamlining operations across the factory, from procurement to logistics and production.
I’ve encountered AGVs in many factories, but the scale here is remarkable. These robotic sleds provide unique service; as finished Hyundais roll off the production line, pairs of sleds slip beneath them, lifting the cars and transporting them to their next destination. This facility operates on a “just-in-time” delivery model, eliminating the need for excessive inventory.
“There’s no longer a reliance on human judgment for timely deliveries,” explains Jerry Roach, senior manager of general assembly.
Notably, robotic devices aren’t the only forms of advanced technology in play; a duo of robotic dogs known as “Spot,” developed by Hyundai’s Boston Dynamics, effectively scan for defects in welds. These agile companions may soon have assistance from Hyundai’s humanoid robots, named Atlas, which are expected to be deployed in factories in the near future. These agile bipedal robots, capable of performing complex movements, may raise concerns about potential job displacement—though Hyundai’s leaders assure that is not their intention.
The welding shop itself is populated by 475 industrial robots, expertly crafting car chassis components. A steel stamping area is astonishingly quiet, with robots working seamlessly to produce roofs and body panels. As is common in advanced factories, human workers are sparse; only a handful can be found in the expansive welding section.
Robots, but not yet the humanoid Atlas models, also assist in the challenging task of installing car doors along the assembly line. Roach mentions that this job is infamous for its difficulty, often leading to surface damage without careful human handling. Such “collaborative” robots operate safely alongside human workers without the need for barriers.
“This is truly a factory of the future,” Roach remarks.
Shifting focus to the materials used in manufacturing, the Metaplant aims for 100% of its energy needs to be met through renewable sources. The plant’s logistical operations are supported by a fleet of hydrogen-fueled trucks, which produce zero emissions during transit. Solar panels installed over
