SAVANNAH, Ga. — A robot dog toasted with champagne and Georgia’s governor and U. S. senator toasted the Senator of Georgia and the U. S. senator. U. S. citizens shared a brief bipartisan birthday party ahead of the high-level elections when Hyundai Motor Group opened its first plant in the U. S. The U. S. government committed to making electric cars on Tuesday.
Just five months after Hyundai announced the $5. 5 billion production facility in Bryan County, west of Savannah, giant spaces have already been deforested. Euisun Chung, chief executive of Hyundai Motor Group, said the plant would be the envy of the industry.
The South Korean company plans to open the plant in 2025, with at least 8,100 workers generating up to 300,000 electric vehicles per year. Georgian officials say it is the largest economic growth project the state has ever seen.
“This is a transformation for the region, just for the young people now, but also for their grandchildren,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “It will be a task that will resonate for generations to come. “
The timing couldn’t have been better for Kemp, a Republican and Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock. The inauguration rite took place two weeks before the Nov. 8 election in which the two men face formidable rivals at the top of the poll.
After a yellow and black robot dog handed out champagne glasses to the more sensible executives of Kemp and Hyundai to toast with a festive toast, officials joined other dignitaries in staging stampedes to turn ceremonial earthballs. Kemp and Warnock then shared a brief handshake.
“I’d like to see more of that kind of collaboration, frankly,” said Warnock, whose candidacy with Republican Herschel Walker will help determine which party controls the U. S. Senate. “U. S. ” At the end of the day, we need to see more jobs. “in Georgia. “
Kemp, who faces a rematch on Election Day with Democrat Stacey Abrams, worked with state and local officials to bring Hyundai to Georgia with an $1800 million tax break and incentive package.
President Joe Biden has also embraced expanding production and sales of electric cars in the U. S. The U. S. economy is a key to its strategy to reduce climate substitution and create productive jobs. 12 states
A sweeping climate and fitness bill passed by congressional Democrats in August also includes incentives to make and purchase electric cars, and adds tax credits for electric car buyers up to $7,500.
However, the tax credits have created some tension in Hyundai’s appointments with Washington. Congressional adjustments to tax credits restrict eligibility to electric cars produced in North America. This means Hyundai’s electric cars will no longer be eligible until the company begins production in Georgia.
South Korea’s ambassador to the United States told dignitaries on Tuesday’s occasion that his country believes revised vehicle tax credits unfairly exclude Hyundai as it commits to expanding electric vehicle production in the United States.
“Korean corporations now risk being deprived through the provision of tax credits for electric vehicles,” Ambassador Tae-yong Cho said. “I think it’s not smart for the Korean association, for the state of Georgia, and not even for the unusual non-cause of weather replacement by restricting customer choice. “
Warnock voted in favor of the Inflation Reduction Act containing the revised tax credits. He defends the law as a whole and says it shows that the U. S. is not doing the law. The U. S. Department of Commerce is seriously considering investing in electric vehicle manufacturing. Meanwhile, he introduced a law extending the effective date of tax credit reviews. He also called on the Treasury Department to show “maximum flexibility” in adopting regulations to enforce the new criteria.
“I will continue to work with Ambassador Cho and other officials to do everything we can to improve on what is obviously already a victory,” Warnock said after Tuesday’s ceremony.
As Georgian officials celebrated the Hyundai project, the state’s big contract for a $5 billion electric vehicle plant east of Atlanta ran into deeper problems.
Electric truck maker Rivian announced plans last year to employ 7500 employees in Georgia. But a Morgan County ruling last month rejected local governments’ plan to exempt Rivian from about $700 million in asset taxes, and the company agreed to pay $300 million in lieu of taxes. State and local governments are considering an appeal in cassation against the sentence.
Tax relief on assets was a major component of the $1. 2 billion incentive presented to Rivian, a California-based automaker that has noted that the price of its inventories has plummeted sharply this year and recently announced a major recall to tighten a loose shutdown that could limit drivers’ ability to steer.
Asked Tuesday if he thought the Rivian plant in Georgia would continue, Kemp replied, “I’m very confident. “
“The vast majority of other people need Rivian’s assignment to come in,” the governor said, adding, “We’re excited about the entire electric vehicle market here in Georgia. “