HSBMA (Hyundai-SK Battery Manufacturing America) has begun commercial production at its electric vehicle battery cell plant in Bartow County, Georgia, with operations starting June 1, 2026. The facility is a 50-50 HSBMA joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and SK On, formed with a combined investment of approximately $5 billion. The Bartow County site has an annual production capacity of 35 GWh, enough to support production of approximately 300,000 electric vehicles, according to the joint venture. Since the partnership was announced in 2023, HSBMA has advanced construction, equipment installation and production-readiness work to prepare the facility for commercial operations.
Highlights
- HSBMA began commercial production at its EV battery cell facility in Bartow County, Georgia, on June 1, 2026.
- The plant has an annual production capacity of 35 GWh, enough to supply cells for approximately 300,000 electric vehicles.
- Hyundai Motor Group and SK On each hold a 50 percent stake in the $5 billion joint venture.
- The first cells produced at the facility will support the Hyundai IONIQ 9, Hyundai’s flagship three-row electric SUV.
Location and Production Role
The Bartow County plant sits near several of Hyundai Motor Group’s major U.S. production sites, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) and Kia Georgia. That proximity positions HSBMA to supply a regional battery chain feeding Hyundai, Kia and Genesis electric vehicle production directly, rather than relying on cells shipped in from overseas.
Supply Chain for Hyundai, Kia and Genesis EVs
Battery cells produced at HSBMA will go to Hyundai Motor Group’s U.S. manufacturing facilities across all three of its brands. The first cells off the line are earmarked for the Hyundai IONIQ 9, the company’s three-row electric SUV and its largest EV to date.
Hang Ki Moon, CEO of HSBMA, tied the milestone to the two parent companies’ broader partnership: “HSBMA’s start of commercial production reflects the strong collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and SK On, as well as our shared commitment to building a reliable EV battery supply chain in the United States. HSBMA will continue to focus on operational excellence, quality and safety as it supports the growth of electric vehicle production and broader electrification across North America.”
A Three-Year Path to Commercial Operations
Hyundai Motor Group and SK On first selected Bartow County as the site for the joint venture in 2022, later finalizing the partnership in 2023 with each company taking an equal 50 percent stake in the roughly $5 billion investment. Construction, equipment installation and production-readiness activities followed over the next several years, culminating in the June 1 start of commercial output.
For Hyundai Motor Group, the plant reinforces efforts to localize EV production and compete more directly in the U.S. market. For SK On, it extends the company’s U.S. manufacturing footprint and its partnerships with major automakers.
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