What you need to know:
- Hyundai Translead expansion with a new Illinois manufacturing facility to boost commercial trailer production
- $450M investment and 2,500 jobs supported by J. B. Pritzker to create Illinois manufacturing jobs
- Joliet plant revival reusing a 900,000-square-foot facility formerly operated by Lion Electric after electric bus issues and bankruptcy
- Midwest logistics advantage near 500+ customers and suppliers to strengthen U.S. supply chain efficiency
Hyundai Translead, the North American trailer arm of Hyundai Motor Company, has announced plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Will County, Illinois during the American Trucking Associations' Technology & Maintenance Council Annual Meeting in Nashville.
The aim is to boost production of commercial transport equipment. The sites—located on former Caterpillar Inc. and Lion Electric properties—will support output of trailers and related equipment for the North American market.
The latter property is the same 900,000-square-foot production facility in Joliet, Illinois that was previously occupied by the now-bankrupt Lion Electric, which manufactured battery-electric school buses plagued by technical issues—forcing several U.S. school districts that purchased them through former President Biden's $5 billion Clean School Bus Program to take them out of service.
[Related: Bankrupt Lion Electric's Illinois school bus factory up for auction]
Joliet is located roughly an hour southwest of Chicago.
A press release from the office of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker confirmed that the dormant facility will be revived through Hyundai Translead's $450 million investment, which aims to establish new trailer manufacturing operations and create nearly 2,500 full-time jobs in Illinois. Lion Electric's bankruptcy resulted in the loss of around 400 plant workers.
[Related: Illinois Gov 'disappointed' in struggling Lion Electric, blames Trump]
"We are proud to welcome Hyundai Translead to Illinois as a new manufacturer in our state. This investment represents a long-term commitment that will create 2,500 new jobs and opportunities for working families in Will County and beyond," said Gov. Pritzker. "Illinois will keep attracting major industries and job creators that are transformational for our economy and the communities and hardworking Illinoisans who power them."
Sean Kenney, CEO of Hyundai Translead, stated the new facility will complement the company's existing California operations while positioning it closer to key customers. He further noted that more than 500 customer locations—and a strong regional supplier network—are located within a 100-mile radius.
"Our expansion to Illinois represents years of planning and a shared vision for long-term growth,” said Kenney. "This investment reflects our confidence and commitment to building products, workforce development, and partnerships that endure. We're proud to work alongside state and local leaders to create meaningful economic opportunities while expanding our manufacturing footprint that serves our customers and communities."
[Related: NY law firm investigating Lion Electric over possible federal law violations]
