Hyundai Mobis, the largest auto parts supplier in Korea, is expanding its American operations with an announced upgrade to its existing Montgomery, Alabama plant.

Mobis Alabama LLC was the first plant opened by the Korean company in North America. Going online in 2005, the Alabama plant supplies cockpit and chassis modules and bumpers to its counterpart, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama LLC.

In addition to the Alabama plant expansion, the company will also sink $60 million into a facility in Georgia to support a $1 billion factory Kia will bring online in that state in 2009.

Construction of Mobis Georgia LLC will get underway in September. The planned 310,000 square foot facility will fabricate front-rolling chassis modules, front-end modules, front and rear bumpers, and rear-chassis and cockpit modules for Kia.

Hyundai Mobis is developing a significant presence in the United States as it is also one of three supplier to have an operation within the Chrysler suppler park at its Toldeo, Ohio Jeep plant.

The president of Mobis Georgia LLC, Heeman Ryhoo, said in a statement about construction of the new plant, "The new facility aligns with Hyundai Mobis strategy to support Kia's growth as well as our own."

Currently, Hyundai Mobis, headquartered in Seoul, Korea holds the 25th position on the Automotive News ranking of top 100 global suppliers.

Worldwide, the estimated sales for its original-equipment parts operations accounted for $5.67 billion in 2006.