Autoblog

Honda to export more American-built vehicles than it imports from Japan by 2014

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

A silver Honda Accord sedan is rarely a vehicle worth getting too excited over, but we're sure the folks at Honda's Marysville, Ohio assembly plant would beg to differ. This week, a silver 2013 Accord EX-L sedan earmarked for South Korea rolled off the line, making it the one-millionth vehicle Honda has exported from the US over the last 25 years. More importantly, Honda also announced that by 2014, it plans to export more cars from the US than it imports from Japan.

Starting with the very first Honda exported to Taiwan from Ohio in 1987, the automaker has exported more than $22-billion worth of vehicles and vehicle parts, with 1994 standing as a record year in which 105,511 vehicles were shipped out. This year, Honda and Acura have 11 models that are exported out of the US accounting for almost 100,000 units shipped to more than 40 countries. With a goal of increasing production capacity from 1.63 million units up to 1.92 million units by 2014, Honda expects to "far surpass" its 1994 export record.

For more, check out Honda's official press release by scrolling below.

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Honda to export more American-built vehicles than it imports from Japan by 2014 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda marks 30 years with $200 million upgrade, 200 new jobs in Ohio

Chris Tutor — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Honda says it will invest $200 million in its Ohio facilities and hire an additional 200 workers there. The announcement coincides with the company's 30 year anniversary of producing cars in the US, with a 1983 Accord rolling off the Marysville, Ohio production line on Nov. 1, 1982.

The money will go toward expansion of Honda's Anna engine plant and its Russels Point transmission facility. Honda's statement says the investment is part of a larger, $1.2 billion spending program to improve and expand its US manufacturing network.

Honda began the program two years ago and has since spent $400 million at its Lincoln, AL plant creating 190 new jobs there; $299 million at the Anna engine plant which created 200 new jobs; $40 million at its Greensburg, IN, creating 300 new jobs; $166 million to expand its East Liberty, OH, plant; $175 million at the Russels Point plant for a 195,000 square foot expansion and an additional 100 jobs. Other investments made at various locations around the country make up the remainder.

Read Honda's official press release below.

Continue reading Honda marks 30 years with $200 million upgrade, 200 new jobs in Ohio

Honda marks 30 years with $200 million upgrade, 200 new jobs in Ohio originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Nov 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Production of the "Earth Dreams" powertrains that will slot into the 2013 Honda Accord got underway at the Japanese automaker's Anna Engine and Honda Transmission Mfg. plants last week, and both facilities have begun feeding engines and gearboxes to the Marysville, Ohio, assembly lines where the 2013 Accord has started rolling off the lines. A ceremony marking the start of the new generation's assembly today also served to celebrate Honda's 30 years of production in the States.

As one would expect with car as important to Honda as the ninth-generation Accord, the company has made a huge investment in the North American debut of its new direct-injected, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, a new CVT transmission and a 3.5-liter V6 and its optional six-speed automatic. Honda has spent $220 million on expansions, casting operations and automated lines for its associates, and the plant is now able to make 1.8 million Earth Dreams engines annually.

The new engines are said to be good for a 10-percent improvement in fuel economy compared to current offerings, and the powerplants will eventually migrate to other models in Honda's lineup. Check out the press releases below for more information.

Continue reading 2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power

2013 Honda Accord production fires up with Earth Dreams power originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goodbye, Gold Wing: Honda officially ends U.S. motorcycle production

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Motorcycle

2010 Honda Gold Wing - Click above for high-res image gallery

We knew the day would come when the final Gold Wing motorcycle would be built in America after Honda announced last year that it would eventually close its motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio. Apparently, that time is now, as Honda has confirmed that the Gold Wing assembly line has halted. Moving forward, all Gold Wings - along with just about every other two-wheeler from Honda - will be imported from Japan.

Finished in 1979, the 330,000 square-foot Marysville Motorcycle Plant that has assembled the Gold Wing since 1981 was the first Honda manufacturing facility in America. Since then, over a million Honda Gold Wing motorcycles have made their way down the assembly line and four additional assembly plants have been erected in Ohio producing cars, SUVs, engines and transmissions.

While we're sure it makes sound financial sense to close the Marysville Motorcycle Plant, it strikes us as odd timing to shutter its first U.S. manufacturing site given that Honda is right in the midst of celebrating its first 50 years in America. Conversely, Honda plans to further expand its automotive manufacturing footprint in the U.S. Currently, about 76 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the United States are produced in North America. Unfortunately, we can now strike the Gold Wing off that list.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Goldwing

[Source: Auto Observer]

Goodbye, Gold Wing: Honda officially ends U.S. motorcycle production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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