Image Credit: Hyundai.Hyundai may be headquartered in South Korea, but CEO José Muñoz thinks the company is on its way to becoming increasingly American in how it builds cars for one of its most important markets. He believes the transformation could eventually put Hyundai ahead of some domestic automakers by certain measures of localization.That ambition is being backed by billions of dollars in U.S. investment, expanded manufacturing capacity, and a growing number of vehicles specifically aimed at North American buyers. Hyundai is also preparing to enter segments that have traditionally been dominated by Detroit and Japanese brands.Those plans include a body-on-frame midsize pickup, additional hybrids, and extended-range EVs, alongside a huge product offensive through the end of the decade. Hyundai plans 58 new or refreshed vehicle launches in North America by 2030.Speaking at the 2026 Automotive News Congress, Muñoz summed up the localization strategy with a particularly bold prediction. According to Automotive News, he said Hyundai will become "more American than a lot of the American OEM brands."Another $500 Million For AlabamaMuñoz said Hyundai plans to invest roughly $500 million into its Alabama manufacturing operations. The money will support production of new engines and components needed for the company's expanding hybrid lineup.Hyundai's Montgomery operation already builds several of the company's core U.S.-market vehicles, and its role is set to grow. Muñoz said the Tucson Hybrid will be produced in Alabama, while Hyundai has also confirmed that its upcoming Santa Fe extended-range EV will be built there.The Alabama expansion forms part of a much larger localization push. Hyundai Motor Group previously announced plans to invest $26 billion in the United States between 2025 and 2028, spanning automotive production, steel, and robotics.Hyundai Wants To Build More In AmericaImage Credit: Hyundai.Hyundai's Georgia manufacturing operation is another major piece of the strategy. The automaker is expanding North American capacity while simultaneously trying to source far more of the components used in those vehicles locally.By 2030, Hyundai says it wants North American local parts sourcing to exceed 80%. The company has also previously outlined a goal of domestically producing more than 80% of the vehicles it sells in the United States by the end of the decade.Hybrids will play an increasingly important role in that footprint. Hyundai's latest roadmap calls for more than 10 hybrid models in North America by 2030, with the company targeting hybrids for half of its regional sales mix.Trucks Are Part Of The PlanImage Credit: Hyundai.Becoming increasingly localized also means building vehicles tailored specifically to American tastes. Hyundai has confirmed plans to enter the body-on-frame midsize pickup segment before 2030, taking the company into territory occupied by trucks such as the Ford Ranger, Chevrolet Colorado, and Toyota Tacoma.Hyundai says body-on-frame vehicles are among the market segments where it currently has limited representation. Its North American offensive is intended to fill those gaps while increasing production closer to customers.Muñoz's ambitions go beyond factories and sourcing percentages. He told Automotive News that within a decade, he hopes Hyundai will be recognized for quality, safety, and reliability while also being viewed as "part of the American dream."Calling Hyundai an American automaker would be inaccurate — its headquarters and corporate identity are still South Korean. Judging by its manufacturing plans, however, the badge on the grille will tell increasingly little about where a Hyundai sold in America was actually built.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.