Hyundai Mobis expands in Alabama

Korea's largest auto parts supplier is gearing up for a North American growth spurt.

Hyundai Mobis is preparing to expand its plant in Montgomery, Ala., at the same time it embarks on a $60 million project in West Point, Ga., to support Kia Motor Corp.'s future auto plant there.

Alabama officials are expected to announce an expansion of Mobis Alabama LLC on Wednesday, Aug. 15. The plant, Mobis' first in North America when it opened in 2005, supplies chassis and cockpit modules and bumpers to Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama LLC.

Last week, Mobis became the first supplier to officially tell of plans to locate in Georgia to support Kia's $1 billion factory set to open in 2009.

Construction on Mobis Georgia LLC will begin by the end of September. The 310,000-square-foot plant will supply front-end modules, front-rolling chassis modules, rear-chassis modules and cockpits modules, front and rear bumpers and other parts to Kia.

Heeman Ryhoo, president of Mobis Georgia LLC, said the plant will be an important element in Mobis' global presence. In addition to Alabama and Georgia, Mobis is one of three suppliers inside Chrysler's supplier park on the site of its new Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio.

Said Ryhoo: "The new facility aligns with Hyundai Mobis' strategy to support Kia's growth as well as our own."

Hyundai Mobis, of Seoul, ranks No. 25 on the Automotive News list of the top 100 global suppliers with estimated worldwide original-equipment automotive parts sales of $5.67 billion in 2006.