For more than a century, Georgia has been a leader in the automotive industry, with giants including Ford Motor Company and General Motors beginning production in the state in the early part of the twentieth century. And while both companies have experienced downturns leading to the closing of their operations in Georgia, the lasting presence of these automakers in the state has fostered healthy industry practices, and helped develop skilled workforces that produce world-class cars and parts.
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"Georgia is home to 230+ automotive-related manufacturing companies that employ nearly 52,000 workers." Source: Georgia Power |
International investment is key to Georgia’s leadership in the automotive industry. Many leading international supplier companies have state-of-the-art manufacturing operations in Georgia, including Pirelli Tire (Italy), Toyo Tires (Japan), Bosal Industries (Belgium/Netherlands), ZF Industries (Germany), Freudenberg-NOK (Germany/Japan),
and Habasit America (Switzerland). Georgia is also home to the North American headquarters for many leading global automotive companies, including Porsche, Lotus and BBS. These companies have helped Georgia maintain a significant international presence, with the state exporting more than $2.3 billion in vehicle and vehicle-related parts to the world in 2008.
Kia Motors Corporation in Georgia
The tradition of automotive excellence in Georgia continued in 2009 with the opening of Kia Motor Corporation’s first U.S. manufacturing operation in West Point in Troup County.
The company is investing more than one billion dollars in its Georgia operation, and will produce 300,000 vehicles a year. Georgia’s relationship with Kia Motors has also created additional opportunities for the company’s suppliers to do business in the state, representing 4,100 jobs and $830 million in investments. Major suppliers now located in Georgia include Hyundai-Mobis, Dongwon Autopart Technology, Sejong Georgia LLC, Sewon America, Inc., DAEHAN Solution, Johnson Controls, Glovis, Powertech America, and Kumho Tire.
Home-Grown Excellence
Georgia is proud to be the main headquarters for several
leading companies in the automotive industry. Panoz Auto Development Company, located in Hoschton, is the nation’s premier small-volume manufacturer of limited
production, high-performance automobiles. Blue Bird, also headquartered in Georgia, is the world’s largest school bus maker, and has set the industry standard for excellence in the school bus and motor coach markets. Genuine Parts, the largest aftermarket distribution network in the world, is headquartered in Atlanta. Distribution facilities for Advance Auto Parts, Auto Zone, Johnson Industries, Robert Bosch, Pep Boys and Hella are also located in Georgia.
Transportation and Logistics
With a 4,700-mile rail network (the largest in the Southeast) and 130,000 miles of public roads, Georgia’s extensive cargo-transportation network helps foster enhanced productivity for the automotive industry in the state. Doing business in the state is made easier with Georgia’s two deepwater ports at Brunswick and Savannah, and barge docks at Columbus and Savannah. The Brunswick port currently processes more than 353,000 vehicle and
machinery units as import and export shipments for a number of major automobile
manufacturers, including Mercedes-Benz U.S.A., which broke ground in 2008 on a new Vehicle Preparation Center. The Port of Savannah is the country’s fastest growing port, fourth-largest container port and is a key conduit for major assembly equipment for Kia Motors. Georgia’s proximity to neighboring Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz plants in Alabama, BMW and Daimler-Chrysler in South Carolina and the new Volkswagen plant in Tennessee make Georgia’s central transportation corridor by road or rail even more attractive. Additionally, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest passenger airport and also a leader in air cargo, handled 655,277 tons of cargo in 2008 alone.
To learn more about Automotive industry opportunities in Georgia, please contact Emily Moore at 404-962-4022 or EMoore@georgia.org.
Related sites
Port of Brunswick’s Colonel’s Island Terminal RoRo Facility
Quick Start - Automotive Workforce Training
Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Tech Manufacturing Research Center
Georgia Tech Microelectronics Research Center
Georgia Tech School of Polymer, Textile & Fiber Engineering
Georgia Tech Aerospace, Transportation and Advanced Systems Laboratory
Georgia Tech Composites Education and Research Center
Georgia Manufacturing Directory (Georgia Allies)