Hyundai bets big on USA

Hyundai Motor Group said Sunday it would invest an additional $5 billion in the United States by 2025 to strengthen collaboration with US firms in advanced technology.

The investments, announced during a visit to Seoul by President Biden, are for robotics, urban air mobility, autonomous driving and artificial intelligence, the group said.

Hyundai Motor Group, which houses Hyundai Motor and Kia, on Friday announced plans to invest $5.5 billion in Georgia to build electric vehicle and battery plants.

Georgia is a “right to work” state, where unions are less prevalent and cannot require workers to join.

Biden, a Democrat, has described himself as the most pro-union president in history. But the deal, announced by Georgia’s Republican governor, showed the compromises Biden may have to make as he woos investment overseas.

Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung did not comment on US unions.

The new investment brings its planned US total through 2025 to about $10 billion, above the $7.4 billion it announced last year.