Hybrid Plant Coming To "Sweet Home Alabama"

A new auto manufacturer, headed by a former Chinese auto executive, wants to build its first assembly plant in Bay Minette.

Governor Bob Riley made the announcement Thursday afternoon at the State Capitol during a news conference streamed live on wkrg.com. Confirming a story News 5 broke on Tuesday, Riley said HK Motors plans to build 300,000 hybrid cars a year. He also said the new plant would create 5,000 hi-tech, green, high paying jobs.

Click play to listen to the news conference.

C.T. Wang, President and CEO of HK Motors, said they chose "Sweet Home Alabama" because the state has a strong work force, with a strong work ethic and good skills.

HK Motors' cars will run on a unique hybrid engine powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), electricity, and gasoline. Production is expected to begin in 2013.

Riley says the hybrid cars produced at the Bay Minette plant will help reduce our dependence on foreign oils, protect the environment and help create a new "green" economy in Alabama.

“It didn’t take long for Alabama to become a leader in the automotive industry. Now as America and the world begin making a historic transition to a green economy, we look to make Alabama a leader in the production of next-generation, clean-tech automobiles,” said Governor Riley. “Our Alabama team, in cooperation with local officials in Baldwin County, has been working with HK Motors for several months on this project. We will continue to work with them as the company puts the financing in place to move forward.”

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