You might have heard whisperings that Hyundai is planning to build a second assembly plant in the U.S. Rumors like that tend to travel fast. Operative word: rumors.

In April, Hyundai CFO, Lee Won-hee, said no such formal plans were in place, but that they could develop if the market continued to improve. What the Korean automaker has confirmed are plans to invest $173 million in their Alabama plant to substantially increasing the production of four-cylinder engines.

Specifically, the expansion will support Hyundai, in their efforts to expand production at their Alabama plant to include the Theta four-cylinder engine. Given the Hyundai Sonata is fitted with this specific engine type and is currently produced at the facility, the expansion makes perfect sense. In addition to the Sonata, the Theta four-cylinder engine is also used in the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorrento. Construction at the facility is expected to be finished this fall, with additional four-cylinder engine production will commencing early in 2012.

Hyundai's U.S. expansion plans undoubtedly come as good news not only for people concerned about the carbon footprint that comes with importing parts from Korea, but for the state of Alabama and even our county's overall unemployment rate.  For to successfully boost engine production by 300,000 units annually, the Alabama plant will need to create an estimated 214 new jobs!

Curious to learn more about the goings-on at Hyundai? Stay tuned. World Hyundai Matteson is dedicated to keeping you on the up and up.