[theold]

For Korea GM, which exports over 90% of its production to the U.S., the company’s survival could be at risk. Adding Hyundai Motor and Kia’s 100,000 employees to those working for other carmakers and suppliers, the total number of people in the S. Korean auto industry stands at around 340,000, who now face a panic-inducing situation.

Estimates from the financial sector suggest that the potential damage to S. Korea’s auto industry from the U.S. tariff could exceed 10 trillion won ($6.9 billion).

Hyundai and Kia have already started operating the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, with an annual capacity of 300,000 vehicles, after previously operating plants in Alabama (360,000 units annually) and Georgia (340,000 units).

While some experts suggest that the plant could expand by an additional 200,000 units given the available space, others are skeptical, pointing out that the local parts ecosystem and market size make such an expansion difficult.

https://www.chosun.com/english/industry-...ODD6242YY/