JACKSON-Hyundai Motor Co. confirmed Friday what state officials have worked to keep secret, Mississippi is on the Korean automaker’s short list of potential plant sites. “It’s a great thing for Mississippi to beconsidered for another billion-dollar plant,” said Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, referring to Nissan North America’s auto plant under construction in Madison County. “It speaks well of the work we’re doing here.”
Musgrove and other state economic development officials declined to identify possible locations or discuss other details involving Hyundai.
Also in the running are Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio.
Hyundai president Kim Dong-jin and other representatives recently toured those states and Mississippi.
The company gave all four states equal billing and did not identify specific sites being considered.
“Based on its initial evaluation, Hyundai believesthat each of these states, if selected, would provide the quality work force and support structure necessary for Hyundai to successfully launch a manufacturing facility producing the high-quality world-class automobiles for which Hyundai is known,” the company said.
Mississippi economic development officials gave site tours to Hyundai officials earlier in the week, but declined to confirm the visit.
Flight records inspected by The Associated Press identified the Hyundai representatives as “prospects” and their business as “Project Beach.”
Hyundai, South Korea’s largest automaker, plans to build a $1 billion car assembly plant in this country that would employ 2,000 people.
Hyundai makes the Accent, Elantra and Sonata, among other vehicles. Analysts say the new plant, the company’s first in the United States, would likely manufacture the Sonata and the Sante Fe, a sport utility vehicle.
The company plans to produce 300,000 cars ayear at the plant, with production to begin in 2005.
If Mississippi becomes Hyundai’s choice, the company would join Nissan North America, which is building a $930 million auto plant near Canton that’s scheduled to open next year.
Musgrove and MDA executive director Bob Rohrlack traveled to South Korea last month, but the two have said only that they met with top business prospects.
Chung Mong-koo, Hyundai’s chairman, thanked state economic development officials and other state officials for their interest and assistance.
“Hyundai will continue its evaluation process with a thorough analysis of the logistics of launching and operating a plant at each of the potential sites,” Chung said in the statement.
No date for a final decision was given, but the automaker is expected to make a site announcement in the next few months.