That's all about to change.
The cars are coming and, Governor Ed Rendell says, so are hundreds of jobs.
The Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and Holt Logistics have reached an agreement with Hyundai Motor Company to import 150,000 Hyundai and Kia vehicles every year through the port.
"It means 415 direct and indirect jobs to the region, over 270 jobs will be longshoreman jobs and Teamster jobs right here at the Port of Philadelphia," he said.
"We will deliver the cars to the Teamsters, and the Teamsters will process them, clean them up at the warehouse, whatever they do, and they'll put them on rail and deliver the cars to the dealerships," said Boise Butler of International Longshoremen.
Hyundai and Kia have been growing in popularity in the United States and now make up about seven percent of the market share. The deal, more than a year in the making, takes advantage of that.
"We're one of virtually only ports in the country with expansion opportunity, we have an incredible road network, rail readily available," said Mayor Michael Nutter.
Crane operator Harry Cassel has worked the docks for 40 years and was delighted by the news for himself and his family.
"My son, he was breaking into the industry, he's a third generation and that's what you have down here, mostly," Cassel said.
The dredging project to deepen the Delaware River's shipping channel to 45 feet is a very sore point for New Jersey politicians opposed to it, but Governor Rendell believes it is attracting new business.
"The long term agreements are based, to a great degree, on the fact that we are going to have dredging here, we are going to be at 45 feet, that we can accommodate the ships of the future," Gov. Rendell said.
The first Hyundais and Kias will start arriving in June.
