More Than Cars: How Hyundai is Fueling Kids, Colleges and Communities
The sun had barely risen over Bryan County, Georgia, but the Corporate Responsibility team at Hyundai Motor Group North America was already in full motion. The week ahead was packed with milestone moments for several of the communities where Hyundai and Genesis employees live, work, and play. To get a look at what they’ve been working on they invited a few of us to tag along to see their efforts at work.
Local teams and executives from the corporate side came together to watch students from across the state compete, to cheer on teams in the Georgia Hydrogen Grand Prix and assist the Savannah Children’s Theatre with much needed efforts—and that was just the start. All this isn’t just good will; it stems from Hyundai and Genesis’ mission to develop meaningful bonds in the communities where they will build cars and batteries. And to plant the seeds that will yield future homegrown engineers, designers and innovators.
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. Additionally, I experienced these events as was Hyundai’s guest but all opinions are my own.
Savannah Is Hyundai’s Newest Innovation Hub
Bryan County, just outside of Savannah, Georgia, is the location of Hyundai’s first dedicated EV mass-production plant. It’s where they produce electric vehicles and batteries, and it’s the only facility that manufactures IONIQ 5 models for the US market.
Before ever breaking ground, Hyundai implemented a comprehensive strategy to deeply integrate into the region far beyond just manufacturing. As they began to seek permits and approvals, they also began to plant the seeds that would allow them to both integrate authentically into the community and give back, and it set them apart. Hyundai outshone other manufacturers that had previously attempted to establish plants in the area.
Their strategy is clear and unwavering: to invest in education, the arts, and innovation in ways that would have a lasting impact on the community and the next generation.
Read: Vision Zero: Hyundai Hope on Wheels Targets Ending Childhood Cancer
“Hyundai Hope” Looks For Partnerships to Improve Its Communities
We all have a general sense of what corporate responsibility means, but by definition, it refers to a company’s commitment to ethical operations and positive contributions to society. This includes initiatives that address social, environmental, and economic challenges, ensuring a lasting impact beyond just business success.
For Hyundai, this has fallen under the company’s initiative called Hyundai Hope, which focuses on health, safety, food insecurity, and sustainability. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, Hyundai dedicates time, talent, and resources to its efforts. Probably the most well-known effort is Hyundai Hope On Wheels, a program that supports pediatric cancer research and which has surpassed over $250 million in lifetime donations to pediatric cancer research in the United States.
Read: The Genesis Inspiration Foundation Is Driving Change Through Arts Programs
Challenging Science Students to an Innovative—and Exciting—Race
Hyundai’s efforts in Bryan County bring focus to the company’s commitment to STEM education. Through a collaboration with the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Foundation, Hyundai is bringing the award-winning A World In Motion Pre K-12 STEM program to Bryan County schools.
Hyundai also continues to support Georgia Southern University, providing scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing STEM degrees.
But one of the events that garnered the most excitement was the inaugural Georgia Hydrogen Grand Prix, part of the Hyundai RC remote control racing program in partnership with the H2GP Foundation. Students from across the state competed in a race with hydrogen-powered cars they built themselves.
Watching this race was unlike anything I had ever seen. These students’ passion and knowledge of how the cars worked, from fuel cells to aerodynamics, showed just how impactful these programs are in sparking curiosity and innovation.
Read: Hyundai Shares the Love in a Meaningful Way … Through the Progress Project
Art and Creativity—and Math and Science? It’s Where Innovation Sparks!
Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury vehicle division, emphasizes arts and sports in its community initiatives. The Genesis Inspiration Foundation is dedicated to increasing children’s access to arts education, supporting programs that inspire creativity and learning. Similarly, Genesis Gives focuses on improving access to youth sports and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education in under-resourced communities.
This past week in Bryan County, the Genesis Inspiration Foundation donated $50,000 to the Savannah Children’s Theatre, while Genesis Gives hosted a Child Creativity Lab, giving students the opportunity to explore mobility concepts and sustainable design through hands-on learning experiences.
Anyone Can Write a Check; Giving Time and Teaching Takes Passion
One thing these events have in common is that many of the organizations HMNA supports are smaller, local groups rather than large, nationwide nonprofits.
This really stands out; while it’s easy to write a check to a large national or global organization, it takes real effort to seek out smaller groups that are creating a significant impact in their local communities.
How Does Hyundai Pick its Community Partners?
The selection process for these programs is grassroots-oriented. Hyundai and Genesis engage with local communities to identify organizations that align with their respective pillars. By consulting with residents and community leaders, they ensure their support addresses genuine needs and fosters meaningful impact.
Brandon Ramirez, Director of corporate social responsibility for HMNA said the selection process for Hyundai and Genesis’ corporate responsibility programs is rooted in Hyundai’s communities. Rather than imposing top-down decisions, they actively engage with local organizations and community leaders to understand where their support can make the greatest impact.
And, Then Some Things Are Just Meant to Be
A perfect example of this is the Savannah Children’s Theatre. According to Kelie Miley, Artistic Director and Founder of the theatre, after a devastating snowstorm in January severely damaged their building’s roof, they felt hopeless, unsure how they would ever repair it.
Then, seemingly out of nowhere, they got a call from the Genesis Inspiration Foundation, asking to partner together.
“There are no coincidences,” Miley said. She initially thought Genesis was calling specifically because of their roof damage, but in reality, they didn’t even know about it. But they did know that the Savannah Children’s Theatre was making a difference in young lives in the region. It was fate that brought them together.
Genesis’ participation became personal to everyone in the Theater group, not only forging opinions among those in the community, but showing up in real, transformative ways.
Not Just Funding, But Building, Tomorrow’s Leaders
Hyundai and Genesis aren’t just contributing to education; they’re building the future. Leaders at the nearby Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America hope today’s students will be tomorrow’s engineers, designers, and innovators.
Karisa Young, Head of Learning and Development at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, emphasizes that Hyundai, giving back isn’t just a gesture; it’s a responsibility. By engaging with students early on, these programs are opening their eyes to the incredible career paths in manufacturing located right in their own backyard.
By giving local students hands-on experience with cutting-edge STEM concepts, Hyundai is helping to spark curiosity and fuel careers in automotive innovation and clean energy.
But the impact goes beyond just this one company. When a community invests in education, it builds a stronger workforce, attracts new opportunities, and creates a thriving economy where everyone benefits.
Creating More Opportunities For Girls
In recent years, the number of women entering STEM fields has surged by 31%, signaling a shift toward greater gender diversity in science and technology.
At Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, women make up 37% of the workforce, well above the national average of 30% for women in manufacturing. Many of these women hold management-level positions, a testament to their expertise and Hyundai’s dedication to seeking out a highly skilled and diverse workforce.
The momentum of STEM events was also evident at the inaugural Georgia Hydrogen Grand Prix, where three all-girl teams competed, proving that the next generation of female innovators are ready to pave the way for more young women to explore careers in science, engineering, and advanced manufacturing, ensuring that the future workforce is as innovative as it is inclusive.
Dreams Have to Start Somewhere; Shouldn’t It Be Here?
It was a busy week for HMNA’s Corporate Responsibility team; they exhausted those of us who tagged along.
But they also greatly inspired us. Being front row, seeing the students, watching the race and meeting people in the community wasn’t about photo ops or press releases; it was about planting seeds for long-term community growth and letting a few strangers get a peek at the opportunities, dreams, and investments that are taking root there.
And this is only the beginning.
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