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| Hyundai Motor's Santa Cruz Concept Company Utility Vehicle displayed at the 2015 Detroit International Auto Show / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Hyundai Motor will build its Santa Cruz pick-up style trucks at the firm's Alabama plant in 2021, aiming to gain a stronger foothold in the North American market, the company said Thursday.
The Santa Cruz, which was first introduced as a concept vehicle at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, will have an open bed like a pickup truck and a lower profile like compact sport utility vehicle (SUV), according to the company.
The automaker said the latest plan comes in line with its $410 million expansion project, which is expected to create new direct and indirect jobs in Montgomery and the River Region in Alabama.
"Bringing the Santa Cruz to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) demonstrates that Hyundai Motor is confident its more than 3,000 team members are ready to build a quality crossover for the U.S. market," HMMA President and CEO Jin Byung-jin said.
HMMA, which began vehicle production in May 2005, produces the Santa Fe SUV, Sonata and Elantra sedans. The plant has since produced 4.5 million vehicles for the North America market.
The factory currently has 2,900 full-time and 500 part-time employees, according to Hyundai Motor.
"With the addition of the Santa Cruz, Hyundai is again choosing to launch a new vision. I look forward to continuing to strengthen this vital relationship in the coming years and working with our partners to support this tremendous investment," Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said.
Hyundai has invested more than $1.1 billion in the Montgomery-based plant in the last 18 months, with the latest move expected to add 200 new jobs and 1,000 people employed by regional suppliers and logistics companies.
"Hyundai's new investment is giving more Alabama families an opportunity to earn a good living while also strengthening the state's growing auto industry," Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to delay his decision on whether to put tariffs of up to 25 percent on imported cars and auto parts or not.
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