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Auto Plant To Bring 5,000 Jobs; Build 300,000 Cars Per Year
September 25, 2009
Alabama Gov. Bob Riley announced Thursday afternoon that a Chinese automaker plans to open an assembly plant near Bay Minette, just a few miles from North Escambia.
Hybrid Kinetic Motors (HK Motors) announced plans to construct a new green-vehicle manufacturing plant in Baldwin County, Alabama, during a press conference held jointly with Governor Bob Riley, the Alabama Development Office and key members of the state legislature on Thursday.
HK Motors Chairman Yung (Benjamin) Yeung cited the strength of Alabama’s economy and the quality of its workforce as the main reasons for the board’s decision to locate its primary manufacturing operations in Alabama. Initial production of all model lines is expected to begin in 2013, with Phase 1 capacity of 300,000 vehicles, while creating more than 5,000 direct jobs.
HK Motors aims to be the first large-scale manufacturer of environmentally-friendly vehicles, which will help revitalize the American automotive industry while protecting the environment and stimulating the local and national economy. Utilizing a unique hybrid engine that employs compressed natural gas (CNG), electricity, and gasoline, the company’s vehicles will provide unprecedented efficiency at affordable prices to consumers, while bringing thousands of environmentally-friendly new jobs to American workers.
“Our cutting-edge multi-fuel hybrid powertrain system delivers excellent performance while reducing CO2 emissions to exceed Euro-2012 and future EPA guidelines,” said Chairman Yeung.
By utilizing natural gas, HK Motors taps into a resource that is abundant, exceptionally clean, and surprisingly affordable. The low emissions achieved by this engine technology already surpass the most stringent international standards, including those recently enacted by both American and European governments. By stressing mass production, HK Motors will be able to offer vehicles that are less expensive than the competition, without sacrificing driving performance, ride comfort, and safety.
Under the leadership of Chairman Yeung and an executive board with many years of combined automotive experience, HK Motors has chosen some of the world’s most renowned automotive companies to serve as its partners in this endeavor. Representatives from these suppliers were on hand for the press conference today, and many will also be setting up bases at the Baldwin County production base, bringing in more international expertise and offering more opportunities for local workers.
“It didn’t take long for Alabama to become a leader in the automotive industry. Now as America and the world begin making a historic transition to a green economy, we look to make Alabama a leader in the production of next-generation, clean-tech automobiles,” said Governor Riley. “Our Alabama team, in cooperation with local officials in Baldwin County, has been working with HK Motors for several months on this project. We will continue to work with them as the company puts the financing in place to move forward.”
The plant, once funding is in place, will be located on 3,000 acres near I-65 and Highway 287. The location is about 10 miles from North Escambia.
Pictured above: Alabama Gov. Bob Riley shakes hands with Hybrid Kinetic Motors Chairman Yung (Benjamin) Yeung after they unveiled an artist’s rendering of the automotive plant the company plans to build in Baldwin County. The company announced Thursday during a news conference at the state capitol that it will build hybrid vehicles in Alabama and expects to create more than 5,000 direct jobs. Submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
12 Responses to “Auto Plant To Bring 5,000 Jobs; Build 300,000 Cars Per Year”
Will this plant be build by union workers? I have had to work out of town for years. Most good paying jobs are up north. Alabama has very low wages union or not.
REGARDING corn,cotton,paper,nylon.etc. In the mid 1970’s Michelin Tire and Miller Brewing both looked into building plants in Escambia County FL. Can’t recall why they did not locate here-probably something to do with county and state laws. Michelin built a plant in Dothan AL, and Miller Brewing built in Albany GA. Six hundred people work at the Miller Plant. That could have been six hundred plus good paying jobs for this county. Natural gas is a good idea, but no drilling in the Florida waters. Go for the good jobs, Alabama.
This would be a great benefit for all the surrounding area. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch though. MONEY is a BIG issue. We sure could use some good news about jobs so here’s hoping it will happen.
Alabama is the same as Mexico , cheap labor, poorest people in the united states. And 0% regulation on business, why do you think All these Asian business men start factories here? Its the cheapest place they can find in the united states
Employees have no rights, I imagine its about the same in China, so its probably an easy transition for them
WAY TO GO BAY MINETTE!!!!!!!! WE NEED MORE JOBS HERE!!!!!!!!!!!
REGARDING:
“bama54 is right. Escambia County FL is all about tourism,tourism,tourism, and beaches,beaches,beaches.”
peanuts
corn
soy beans
cattle
horses
marijuana
NASA
military bases
paper
nylon
assorted chemicals
cotton
fishing
watermelons
chestnuts (mine are making)
pecans
bama 54…i look at it like alabama kids going to florida schools. if we shouldnt be able to try and better our education in an out of state school, then i dont think florida people should be able to hold a job in alabama… just saying….
bama54 is right. Escambia County FL is all about tourism,tourism,tourism, and beaches,beaches,beaches.
It is a short drive from Escambia County to Bay Minette!! I would assume Alabama residents get first tabs on jobs? Just remember it is not what you know but who you know, who get the first (good paying) jobs in this plant. Been there done that, I know how the system works. Escambia County Fl. will get a few jobs from this plant, but this is after Baldwin County work force is depleted, and jobs we get will not make enough to make a difference for Escambia County. Why can’t our state and county leaders bring in jobs for our county?? I guess we will see our citizens start moving to Baldwin and Escambia Alabama…
This is why LIFE QUALITY issues like schools, WiFi, parks, & houstng are important – Century.
I am not a pessimist but there is one MAJOR issue in this press release: “The plant, once funding is in place, will be located on 3,000 acres…..” FUNDING at the amount of $1.3 BILLION…. WOW!…
Sounds good to me. The compressed natural gas part at least. a scientist at the United States Geological Survey back in President Carter’s reign estimated we have a thousand year’s supply of natural gas at power demand rates back then. Carter tried to have him fired for not toeing the party line pushing more coal power plants.
Natural gas is clean, abundant, safe, low energy density but the hybrid feature should extend the range.
So why does it take China to see the obvious?