Hyundai recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new electric-vehicle plant in Ulsan, South Korea.

The automaker said the facility will be its first new plant in Korea in 29 years. The EV-dedicated plant, on its former proving ground, will be have production capacity of 200,000 EVs per year, Hyundai said.

The automaker said it will invest approximately $1.53 billion in the project, with full-scale construction scheduled to start in the fourth quarter and finish in 2025. It said mass production will start in the first quarter of 2026. The first model to be produced at the new plant will be a sports-utility vehicle by Genesis, its luxury brand.

Hyundai plans to apply a manufacturing platform developed by the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore to future-proof the facility and prioritize employee safety, convenience and efficiency.

The platform includes:

• Demand-driven, artificial intelligence-based intelligent control systems

• Low-carbon construction methods to achieve carbon neutrality

• 100% renewable energy use

Hyundai said it will use the platform to build a smart logistics system, including automated parts logistics. Introducing a flexible production system will diversify vehicle models, help workers respond to global market changes, and automate assembly facilities to enhance productivity and quality, the company said, adding that the new facility will also enhance workplace safety, accuracy and efficiency through the use of robotics, smart logistics systems, and AI, the statement noted.

The building façade will incorporate solar power panels and upcycled concrete panels, promoting sustainability and reducing carbon emissions, the company said.