Last December, I had the opportunity to visit the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant in Ellabell, Georgia. For years, I had driven past the facility and wondered what was happening inside. As someone who works with electric vehicles regularly and as a Savannah resident, I was excited to finally see it firsthand.
The plant itself represents the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history. Vehicles produced in the South Georgia plant will be shipped across the country and around the world. Beyond the global impact, the plant also presents meaningful opportunities for the local community. With a major EV manufacturing facility nearby, residents in the region can access new jobs, workforce training opportunities, and exposure to the growing electric mobility sector, helping advance the clean energy transition in Georgia.
SACE was invited to tour the facility on behalf of former Georgia Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols, who created and previously managed the EV Braintrust, a collaborative initiative that brings together electric vehicle (EV) stakeholders, partners, and industry leaders to discuss advancements in EV technology, charging infrastructure, and workforce development.
Inside the Factory
One of the most fascinating aspects of the tour was seeing the balance between human workers and advanced automation. It was fascinating to observe how human employees, or “meta pros,” and robotic technologies worked together in a highly coordinated, almost symbiotic way to accomplish tasks. The meta pros clearly led operations, managing different stations across the floor, while robots took on much of the heavy lifting — moving car parts and handling repetitive, labor-intensive tasks. At one point, we even saw a Boston Dynamics robotic dog that checked the engineers’ work before it went to the next stage of assembly.
Hyundai representatives repeatedly emphasized that their investment in EV manufacturing is a long-term commitment. They explained that the decision to build the plant was made in May 2022, right before the Inflation Reduction Act was passed and signed into law in August 2022. Hyundai announced that, regardless of political changes, they are committed to electrification and to maintaining their presence in Georgia.
Building Trust With the Community
Interest in the plant has grown since its opening, but it hasn’t been without challenges. Like many large industrial projects, there was initial skepticism among local residents. Prior to the plant officially opening, a few tragic workplace deaths occurred that were not widely reported, which understandably created concern and mistrust within the community.
During the tour, however, it was reassuring to see that the facility includes an on-site emergency medical center designed to respond quickly to workplace incidents. Seeing these safety measures firsthand made me feel more confident in encouraging people to consider job opportunities at the plant. It also showed that the company is taking steps to learn and improve as operations grow.
Driving the Vehicle Built Here
One of the unique aspects of my work is that I currently drive a Hyundai IONIQ 5 as part of SACE’s EV outreach efforts. We use it at ride-and-drive events and community showcases where people can experience electric vehicles firsthand.
Because of that, visiting the plant was particularly meaningful. I was able to see the process of how the IONIQ 5 is assembled and then return to driving the same vehicle in my everyday work.
