The possibility that the won will continue to strengthen against the dollar and other major currencies is also a spur to increasing output outside of Korea. Hyundai opened its first U.S. automobile plant in Montgomery, Alabama, in 2005 ,and recently announced plans to build and engine plant close by Kia too, is expanding its presence in the United States as a hedge against adverse currency movements. In 2006, the company broke ground on a U.S. manufacturing plan in Georgia. The plant was opened in 2009.