Hyundai-SK On battery joint venture begins mass production in US

Hyundai-SK Battery Manufacturing America, a North American battery joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and SK On, has begun commercial operations.

According to the battery industry and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, HSBMA, located in Bartow County, Georgia, launched mass production in June. The initial output is being supplied to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America for use in electric vehicle production.

HSBMA is a joint venture in which both companies hold equal 50 percent stakes, backed by a combined investment of $5 billion. Construction began in 2023 and was recently completed. The facility spans roughly 3 million square meters, employs 3,500 workers and has an annual production capacity of 35 GWh — enough to equip approximately 300,000 electric vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group announced in April 2023 that battery cells produced at HSBMA would be assembled into battery packs by Hyundai Mobis and supplied exclusively to Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis electric vehicles manufactured in the United States.

"HSBMA, located in Bartow County, Georgia, has recently begun commercial operations and is currently in the early stages of production, with plans to expand output going forward," an HSBMA official said.

With HSBMA now operational, SK On's battery supply network in North America has become more diversified. The company had previously been supplying batteries to HMGMA through its standalone factory, SKBA, in Commerce, Georgia.