Why do some Hyundais have US government plates? I always thought only American cars like Ford, Chevy, and GM only have them?

Why do some Hyundais have US government plates? I always thought only American cars like Ford, Chevy, and GM only have them?

They're owned by the government.

Governmental license plates are only issued to official US government agencies, regardless of the brand of automobile.

Ford, Chevrolet and GM are all multinationals manufacturing cars worldwide. Plenty of Chevys are just rebadged Korean Daewoo models. Plenty of "foreign" brands like Toyota, Honda, and BMW have been manufacturing cars in the USA for decades.

Point being: your own definition of what you think are "American" cars is very out of date.

Hyundai are definitely Korean, but that doesn't stop your government from buying them if they save your tax dollars by doing so. Trumponomics mean that may happen less often in future, but they'll still be buying Mexican manufactured Fords and GMs, and Korean Chevys.

What's more American than Montgomery, Alabama?

They have US Government license plates because they are owned and operated by the US Government. Some Hyundais ARE "American" cars because they are designed and manufactured in the USA. Lots of "American" cars are built in Canada or Mexico.

Because Hyundai makes cars in the USA… Unlike GM and Ford who make cars in Mexico.

They are owned/leased by the government

No. Many Hyundais are built in Alabama so qualify as US built.

When the government needs cars - it gets a fleet of 1000 cars - so bids are put out by the various automotive manufacturers to supply those cars and the government uses your tax dollars wisely and usually buys the "cheapest" Bid. That is called "Competitive bidding" Getting the most bang for the buck.
(If they did not do that, then they would all be in Rolls Royce(really spendy cars & "eff" the public tax dollar).
BUT Public opinion STILL MATTERS in a democracy where Joe Public "foots" the cost.