Inside The Alabama Factory Building Genesis' Most Important EV For America
The Local Luxury EV Play
Genesis has shown ambition to establish a stronger presence in the U.S. electric vehicle market after starting production of the Electrified GV70 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) in Montgomery in 2023, marking the first time a Genesis model was assembled stateside. The model is also produced in Ulsan, South Korea, giving the company more flexibility to balance regional demand.
With the Electrified GV70 positioned as a luxury compact crossover EV, it competes with models such as the BMW iX3, and can be seen as a more upscale alternative to the Tesla Model Y, the best-selling EV in the U.S. Its domestic production has also become more valuable after the U.S. imposed tariffs on imported vehicles, which added pressure on foreign-built EVs like the now-discontinued Electrified G80.
Where The GV70 Comes Together
The Electrified GV70 is built at HMMA alongside other Hyundai models, including the Tucson and Santa Fe. According to FRAME, production begins in the welding shop, where more than 400 robots handle the fully automated welding and sealing of vehicle parts. Additional robots and sensors are then used to check the quality and alignment of the body panels before the unpainted vehicle body, known as the body-in-white, is sent to the paint shop.
Each body is cleaned, coated, and fully dipped in a corrosion-resistant undercoat, with the vehicle rotated through each tank to ensure full coverage. Robots then paint the body, which later undergoes a meticulous final inspection to ensure the finish "meets luxury standards."
The final stage shifts to hands-on assembly, where technicians install key components before the Electrified GV70's large lithium-ion battery pack is fitted beneath the raised vehicle.
America Is Getting More Genesis
Prices start at $64,380, excluding destination charges, while the top-spec Prestige trim begins at $75,350. The Electrified GV70 offers up to 263 miles of EPA-rated range, with a standard dual-motor setup producing up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
The Electrified GV70 is one of two Genesis EVs currently offered in the U.S., alongside the GV60. Unlike the Alabama-built Electrified GV70, however, the GV60 and most other Genesis models sold in America are imported from South Korea.
Given Genesis' strong momentum in the U.S., even outselling Infiniti last year, it is only natural for the brand to expand. The company has announced plans to introduce 22 new or significantly enhanced vehicles in North America through 2030.
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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 3:15 PM.