Rumor has is that Hyundai is planning to build its second assembly plant in the U.S. Operative word here: rumor. Hyundai CFO, Lee Won-hee, spoke on the rumored plans for a second U.S. plant back in April, saying that the auto maker has no formal plans were in place, but that they could develop if the market continued to improve. In the meantime, Hyundai has confirmed their plans to invest $173 million in their Alabama plant, which will substantially increase the production of  Theta four-cylinder engines.

This looks to be a great investment on Hyundai's part, as the Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorrento are fitted with this specific type of engine. Construction at the facility is expected to be completed this fall, with additional four-cylinder engine production will commencing in early 2012. Hyundai's expansion also brings great news to the state of Alabama - in the form of jobs! In order to successfully boost engine production by 300,000 units annually, the Alabama plant will need to create an estimated 214 new jobs!

Curious to learn more about the goings-on at Hyundai? Stay tuned. Walser Hyundai, located at 8100 Lakeland Avenue North in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota is dedicated to keeping you on the up and up!