From White House pledge to Louisiana, Hyundai's $5.6b bet takes shape

DONALDSONVILLE, Louisiana — Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Chung Euisun stood beside US President Donald Trump at the White House 17 months ago to unveil one of the Korean auto giant’s biggest bets on American manufacturing. At the heart of the $21 billion US investment package unveiled in March 2025 — later increased to $26 billion — was a $5.8 billion steel mill in Louisiana, the group's first steel production base in the US and a move to make one of the most essential materials for vehic