Honda ending U.S. motorcycle production
Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Honda VTX
Honda has announced that next year it will cease motorcycle production at its Marysville, OH manufacturing plant. That facility's output, along with that of the Hamamatsu, Japan factory, will be shifted to the the company's brand new bike plant in Kumamoto next year. In 2007, Marysville built 44,000 Gold Wing and VTX models, though Honda notes that there will be no layoffs because of this shift in production. Instead, the Marysville workers will be reassigned to other Honda businesses in the fair state of Ohio.
Gallery: 2008 Honda VTX Series
Gallery: Honda Gold Wing
[Source: IHT via The Kneeslider]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FThorn 9:42AM (2/28/2008)
When our dollar sinks, and labor is thusly cheaper, Honda is contrary to popular finance decisions to move more manufacturing HERE. Odd. Even if they explain it away like this. Granted they ARE moving/building a new plant in Batesville.
Reply
Temple 9:49AM (2/28/2008)
Glad people don't get laid off for once on this type of news.
Reply
TORR 10:00AM (2/28/2008)
They may not be getting laid off, but it sounds like if they still want a job with Honda, they will have to relocate. With the housing market where it is, most people will not be able to get out from under their house to move. Not only that, but moving your whole family can be detrimental. I wish the best for all involved.
Reply
GreenDragon 10:51AM (2/28/2008)
Actually it sounds like the jobs will be transferred to the auto production facility in Marysville, where the Accord, RDX, and TL are built. So, no lay offs or relocations.
TORR 11:03AM (2/28/2008)
Glad to hear that green dragon, hopefully pay scale wont change either.
iSpec 10:22AM (2/28/2008)
The dismantling of America continues.
Reply
993C4S 10:31AM (2/28/2008)
Countries change, economies change. It is up to us as a people and a country to shape those changes for our benefit vs. complaining about it.
Evotec 1:02PM (2/28/2008)
start working harder...
The Other Bob 10:46AM (2/28/2008)
Maybe Harley Davidson needs a forth of fifth plant?
Reply
Gardiner Westbound 11:01AM (2/28/2008)
Excellent cars and a first-rate employer. Honda deserves its success. A domestic company would move the furniture and turn the staff into dog food.
Reply
TORR 11:07AM (2/28/2008)
To Gardiner Westbound- everything thast comes out of your mouth is pure poison. Do you ever have anything good to say or do you just sit in front of your computer screen spewing poison all day wishing you had a better life or job?
That One Person 11:43AM (2/28/2008)
First rate employer my butt. Didn't they just settle a case that involved racism??
iSpec 11:23AM (2/28/2008)
'It is up to us as a people and a country to shape those changes for our benefit vs. complaining about it.'
Mine isn't a complaint. It is an understanding that the idea of a 'Great America' is a dirty word to a growing percentage of American's and one that must be done away by more and more 'American's' and the rest of the world.
And good luck 'shaping' the changes that are being forced upon by legislators who serve the interest of those with the most money and not the people who are given two ridiculous choices for an 'election'.
The clowns are now in charge of this circus and the circus is bankrupt.
Change is being exacted upon America for sure! When it has run it's course, we'll see if you're still so sure we can find any benefits. Our nation as we know it is being dismantled and not for American's benefit.
Reply
993C4S 12:20PM (2/28/2008)
iSpec,
I'm not looking for a flame war or a debate (at least not one that is so off topic to this thread). However, I would be remiss if I didn't reply to your latest post.
You say 'Mine isn't a complaint. It is an understanding that the idea of a 'Great America' is a dirty word to a growing percentage of American's and one that must be done away by more and more 'American's' and the rest of the world.'
Could you restate that without all the drama? I really don't know what you are trying to say.
You say ''And good luck 'shaping' the changes that are being forced upon by legislators who serve the interest of those with the most money and not the people who are given two ridiculous choices for an 'election'.''
We are not "given" anything. We get what we allow. If you don't like your choices, stand up and speak out (somewhere outside of an automotive forum). You are correct that those with the money make the rules, but this can be changed through activism and vocalization of what is right. It takes time, persistence and tenacity.
You say "Change is being exacted upon America for sure! When it has run it's course, we'll see if you're still so sure we can find any benefits. Our nation as we know it is being dismantled and not for American's benefit."
Again, if you could take out the drama it would be easier to understand. If I were a betting man I would say you are a card carrying member of the Libertarian Party (more power to you if you are)!
If you want to take the political debate to a more appropriate platform let me know. I write and participate in a political blog and would be happy to point you there.
As for Honda. They could have simply shut down the plant and done away with the jobs. They didn't. Kudos to them.
gary 11:25AM (2/28/2008)
If this had been an American company they would laid off everyone and moved the production to MEX.
Reply
Chris 11:24AM (2/28/2008)
I figure that the motorcycle production was intefering with growth in their US auto market.
Cheaper to move the lesser of two valuable assets overseas
Reply
Guenther 11:26AM (2/28/2008)
That plant would be perfect for small volume US specific performance vehicles.
Reply
Jeff 11:40AM (2/28/2008)
Don't ever fool yourself into believing that any major company anywhere in the world (Honda included) gives a rat's rear end about you as an employee. You're only as good as the profit you contribute to the bottom line. The moment you cost more than you contribute, you're gone. The moment the company can find someone somewhere who will do the job for less money and if that allows them to increase profit, the job moves there and you're looking for a new job.
In corporate news releases, what they do not say is more important than what they do say. I didn't see anything that said these employees were going to be given similar jobs with similar pay. "you still have a job, here's a broom, go sweep the floors for $6.00 per hour". What? you were making $15.00 per hour before, well, we're Honda and you still have a job."
No single company is better or worse than another here. It's all business.
Reply
Andy 1:02PM (2/28/2008)
I just can't let Jeff's comment go. He doesn't know what he's talking about in this case.
Because Honda is a lean company, and produces a product in demand, it can absorb workers across business divisions and not reduce benefits.
The company is making tough decisions to ensure that it can withstand an economic downturn, while keeping the expertise to grow when better conditions return.
Polly Prissy Pants 2:14PM (2/28/2008)
Jeff is right on. They love you when they need you and hate you when they don't. Corps do nothing out of the goodness of their hearts. It's all about business and making money - no more, no less.