Expanded Hyundai plant to start manufacturing Santa Cruz by 2021

Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) recently announced that the automaker's newly expanded Montgomery plant will start production of the Santa Cruz concept vehicle by 2021.

The Santa Cruz will be an added vehicle to the Santa Fe SUV and the Sonata and Elantra sedans at Hyundai’s Montgomery automotive assembly site, requiring the $410 million plant expansion. The project will add space to the stamping, welding and parts-processing areas.

With the increase of vehicles to be manufactured in the complex, direct employment will grow by 200 jobs, while local suppliers and logistics companies supporting HMMA are forecasted to create jobs for 1,000 people in Montgomery and the region.

“Bringing the Santa Cruz to HMMA demonstrates that Hyundai Motor Company is confident our more than 3,000 team members are ready to build a quality crossover for the U.S. market,” HMMA President and CEO Byungjin Jin said in a press release.

The Santa Cruz concept compact utility vehicle was unveiled at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.