Hyundai’s blueprint for its new Georgia facility shows an industry playing it safe with electric vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group announced with pride the construction of an electric vehicle production facility near Savannah Georgia several years ago.

The Hyundai Motor North America CEO José Muñoz declared in 2022 that the company responded to the Biden administration's immediate request to boost electric vehicle adoption and decrease carbon emissions.

Every speech at the lavish plant opening ceremony lacked the word “electric” while executives and politicians praised Hyundai's multibillion-dollar investment and its cutting-edge technology and job creation.

The change goes beyond simple rewording of messages. Hyundai has made subtle changes to its corporate direction during the previous several years. The facility which initially planned to produce only electric vehicles now produces hybrid models in addition to its electric vehicle production.

Muñoz who now leads Hyundai as global CEO explained to reporters after the ceremony that the company launched this project under the assumption that electric vehicles would become the future standard.

The company predicted electric vehicles would take off quickly but the market developed more slowly than expected.

The market showed stronger interest in hybrids than expected while electric vehicle sales failed to meet projections.

Muñoz explained the company made quick changes. The facility now includes hybrid manufacturing lines.

The industry-wide movement toward hybrids corresponds to the company's strategic change. Ford and GM and Volvo have reduced their electric vehicle targets to focus on producing hybrid models.

The current situation cannot be ignored because the government has started to reverse its EV support. The Biden administration faces opposition from President Trump as EV-friendly regulations are being dismantled and buyer tax credits are at risk and charger funding remains stalled.