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Recorded live at the Alliance for Automotive Innovation's The Merge 2025, this episode features Drew Ferguson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, sharing a deeply personal view of what automotive investment really means for American communities. From his hometown of West Point, Georgia—once devastated by the collapse of textiles—to the arrival of Hyundai’s manufacturing footprint, Ferguson explains how advanced auto plants don’t just build vehicles, they rebuild towns.

The conversation spans the realities behind today’s headlines: tariffs, trade policy, EV incentives, immigration, and supply chain resilience. Ferguson makes the case that modern automotive manufacturing depends on long-term certainty, global expertise, and people working with people. He also closes with a clear message to dealers: quality wins, innovation is accelerating, and the brands he represents are committed to meeting consumers where they are—whether that’s ICE, EV, or something in between.

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro — Live at Merge 2025 with Drew Ferguson

0:17 From Georgia Roots to Washington Policy

0:43 When a Textile Town Lost Its Industry

1:10 How Hyundai Changed the Future of West Point, Georgia

1:54 What It Takes to Build a Modern Auto Plant from Scratch

2:37 Why Hyundai’s Georgia Facilities Matter Nationally

3:45 The True Job Impact of Advanced Manufacturing

4:03 Building a Regional Supply Chain Across the Southeast

4:32 Why Tariffs and Trade Dominate the Conversation Right Now

5:40 EV Incentives, Policy Swings, and Corporate Risk

6:31 Why Immigration Policy Matters to U.S. Manufacturing

7:34 A Message to Dealers Navigating Industry Uncertainty

8:27 Why Today’s Vehicles Are the Best Cars Ever Built

9:09 Loving Cars Again—Performance, Design, and Emotion

Connect with Drew Ferguson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hon-drew-ferguson/

Learn more about Hyundai's North American Manufacturing: https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/why-hyundai/hyundai-in-america

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