U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raided Hyundai Motor Group’s Metaplant America in eastern Georgia on Sept. 4. The agency detained 475 workers on allegations that they were employed in the United States illegally.
The raid shocked the auto industry, as automakers have already been grappling with tariff turmoil due to the Trump administration’s stance on trade. The Hyundai plant ICE raid could have serious implications for the South Korean automaker, which has emerged as a major player on the EV scene in recent years.
Hyundai Motor Company calls its plant a “key pillar” of the group’s $12.6 billion investment in Georgia. The vehicle assembly and battery plant was set to produce up to 500,000 hybrid and electric vehicles for the company’s portfolio of brands.
Hyundai also committed to an additional $21 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing growth from 2025 to 2028, so the decision to raid the South Korean automaker’s plant puzzled some political observers, considering President Donald Trump‘s push for private and foreign investment.
On Sept. 11, a plane from Atlanta carrying over 300 Hyundai employees headed to South Korea. Hyundai Motor Company President and CEO Jose Munoz said following the move that “production at the battery plant will likely be delayed 2 to 3 months” according to Axios.
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It’s no secret that Hyundai has produced notable electric vehicle offerings such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. A production delay could mean that the plant won’t produce as many of their popular EVs. It could also mean a delay in production of planned new electric vehicle nameplates for 2026.
Additionally, if delayed battery production forces Hyundai to import batteries and parts, it could have cost implications for the automaker and the consumer. Ultimately, it’s too early to tell how impactful the ICE raids will be on Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, but production delays are bad news for all three South Korean brands as competitors from rivals Honda, General Motors and Ford continue to gain momentum.
Hyundai Motor Company’s EV sales have increased year-over-year. August Ioniq 5 small SUV sales increased a whopping 61% compared to 2024, according to sales report data. August Ioniq 6 sales increased by 30% compared to August 2024.
As of August 2025, Hyundai sold 32,683 Ioniq 5 small electric SUVs and 8,318 Ioniq 6 small electric sedans. The South Korean automaker is projected to easily beat 2024 sales numbers for both EV models.
This year, Hyundai introduced the Ioniq 9 electric midsize SUV, slotted above the Ioniq 5. As of August, Hyundai sold 3,102 Ioniq 9 SUVs for the year.
Hyundai’s EV sales numbers are strong, but the automaker has plenty of competition in the EV space. Tesla remains the undisputed sales champ, and Chevrolet’s Equinox EV has been a success for the U.S. brand. The recent Hyundai ICE raid in Georgia could set the company back at a crucial juncture in the battle for market share.

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