Hyundai and Georgia Tech team up on hydrogen, EV tech

Industry

Published: 20 Sep. 2023, 16:33

Hyundai and Georgia Tech team up on hydrogen, EV tech

From left, Chaouki Abdallah, executive vice president for research at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Angel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech, Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System of Georgia, Euisun Chung, executive chair of Hyundai Motor Group, Chang Jae-hoon, CEO of Hyundai Motor and Jose Munoz, chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor take a photo Tuesday after signing an agreement to cooperate on the development of future automotive technologies. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor Group teamed up with the Georgia Institute of Technology to develop future automotive technologies, continuing Hyundai's relationship with the U.S. state that was first established by honorary chairman Chung Mong-koo two decades ago.

The Korean company signed a memorandum of understanding with Georgia Tech on a multi-decade partnership including joint research and development programs focused on battery technology and the hydrogen economy.

Georgia is where Chung built Kia's first U.S. plant in 2006, which Hyundai said was the start of its relationship with the state that even led the company to spend $12.6 billion on EV-dedicated facility and battery manufacturing facilities in the state last year.

Under the partnership, professors at Georgia Tech will conduct joint research with Hyundai America Technical Center and Hyundai Namyang R&D Center.

Hyundai will also support startups formed by Georgia Tech students, allowing them to collaborate with Hyundai subsidiaries. Some Georgia Tech students will also be offered scholarships and internship opportunities for the automakers.

“Georgia is like a second home to us,” said Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon. “We are thrilled to create a partnership with Georgia Tech, and today is the beginning of a partnership that will last for decades. This partnership is one of the reasons why we chose Georgia for our EV investments.”

Hyundai Motor CEO Chang Jae-hoon speaks at a signing ceremony held at Georgia Tech on Tuesday. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

The collaboration with Georgia Tech builds upon the company's long history in Georgia started two decades ago by honorary chairman Chung Mong-Koo and his son, Euisun Chung, the current chief of Hyundai, who selected the city of West Point, Georgia, for Kia's first plant in the United States.

Starting mass production in 2009, the West Point plant has produced more than 4 million vehicles for the past 14 years.

Hyundai’s investments in Georgia are expected to create nearly 40,000 jobs and $4.6 billion in individual earnings every year, according to a recent study by the Center for Automotive Research.

“Like Georgia Tech, Hyundai is a global brand that is synonymous with quality, innovation, and a commitment to advancing technology to make a positive difference in the world,” said Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera. “I look forward to working with Hyundai leaders to deepen our partnership as we work to develop exceptional leaders and produce new ideas that will shape the automotive industry and advance mobility in the future."

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]