Autoblog

Honda will build 2014 Accord Hybrid in Ohio

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:01:00 EST

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

Honda has announced that it will invest $23 million in its Marysville, Ohio facility to support production of the upcoming 2014 Accord Hybrid sedan. According to the manufacturer, this means approximately 50 new jobs will be created, and the whole investment will result in a 95,000-square-foot expansion of the Marysville plant.

The Accord Hybrid joins the decidedly homely Accord PHEV (pictured) this fall, using a 2.0-liter i-VTEC Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine mated to a 124-kilowatt electric motor. Honda has yet to release official power or fuel economy figures for the non-plug-in hybrid version of the Accord.

Honda currently operates four manufacturing facilities in Ohio, with the combined capacity to build up to 700,000 cars and light trucks each year. The Japanese automaker also has a facility in Greensburg, Indiana, where the Civic Hybrid and Acura ILX Hybrid are built.

Scroll down for the official press release.

Continue reading Honda will build 2014 Accord Hybrid in Ohio

Honda will build 2014 Accord Hybrid in Ohio originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infographic: 30 years of American-built Honda Accord

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 07:02:00 EST

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

Are we allowed to say that this infographic celebrating the 2013 Honda Accord might be - so far - the most interesting thing about the car? Breaking down thirty years and eight generations of Accord production at Honda's Marysville, Ohio plant, it's a detailed chart of how the Accord went from a 75-horsepower sedan that got 28 mpg, took 12.9 seconds to reach 60 mph in 1982 and boasted a digital clock, to a 185-hp (the four-cylinder model) sedan that gets 35 mpg, takes seven seconds to get to 60 mph and boasts the kinds of features you'd also find in a Mercedes-Benz.

The factory numbers are just as interesting, the Marysville plant taking six years to build its first million cars, then taking just two years to add another one million during the third-generation Accord, repeating the feat again twice during the fifth and sixth generations. The latest sedan and coupe carry the hopes of those nine million others that came before it, each generation of which made Car and Driver's 10-Best list. Let the games begin - after you check out the infographic, which you can click on to enlarge.

Infographic: 30 years of American-built Honda Accord originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 07:02:00 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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Honda pouring $355M into Ohio plant upgrades

Chris Shunk — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Earnings/Financials

The second quarter was not a good one for Honda. Supply shortages as a result of the debilitating earthquake in Japan and the subsequent tsunami resulted in a U.S. market share reduction from 10.6 percent to 9.3 percent. North American plants were impacted as well, as production dropped 26 percent from Q2, 2010.

While Honda's troubles have been severe, they're short term, and Honda has always been a forward-thinking company. That's why it should come as no surprise that the Japanese automaker is sinking $355 million into its Ohio facilities. The Detroit News reports that Honda will spring for $166 million in improvements to its East Liberty plant and another $64 million on a stamping press at the Marysville plant.

The automaker is also investing in its Raymond research and development center, with upgrades that include a new wind tunnel. Honda won't say exactly how much it is spending on the wind tunnel, but Frank Ohlemacher, a project manager at Ohio State's Center for Automotive Research, says tunnels range in cost from $25 million for a "half scale" model to over $100 million for a full-size tunnel.

The $355 million in upgrades doesn't include the $94 million Honda says it will spend modifying its Lincoln, Alabama plant and $800 million to build a small-car plant in Mexico.

Honda pouring $355M into Ohio plant upgrades originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 07:59:00 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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One in 20 Million: Honda celebrates U.S. production milestone

Michael Harley — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

In spite of Honda's latest production cuts, the Japanese automaker reached a significant milestone this week. Twenty-seven years after opening its Marysville, Ohio, assembly plant, Honda has produced its 20 millionth vehicle in North America. The original U.S. plant is still open but it has been joined by assembly operations in East Liberty, Ohio; Lincoln, Alabama; and Greensburg, Indiana. The automaker also has assembly lines in Alliston, Ontario, and El Salto Jalisco, Mexico.

Many of the vehicles assembled in North America are destined for sale on our shores. According to the automaker, more than 77% of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2008 were produced in North America (representing a total of 1,421,427 units). The positive financial implications are obvious when you realize that Honda partners with more than 620 North American suppliers (545 in the U.S. alone) and purchased parts and materials worth more than $19.5 billion in 2008 alone. The automaker also points out that their cumulative North American engine production has topped 18.4 million units, and they have assembled more than 13 million automatic transmissions domestically. Check out the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading One in 20 Million: Honda celebrates U.S. production milestone

One in 20 Million: Honda celebrates U.S. production milestone originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ZF may share new Chrysler axle plant

Chris Shunk — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:32:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler

Before Cerberus took over Chrysler, the Auburn Hills-based automaker announced that it would build a new axle plant in Marysville, MI as part of a broader plan to spend $3 billion on infrastructure upgrades. The new plant is under construction and scheduled to open in 2010, but the three headed dog's keen eye(s) on cash preservation has lead to talks with transmission maker ZF to somehow share the facility. It is unclear at this point what ZF, which is known for its transmissions but also produces axles for Mercedes, would get out of the deal, but the supplier would likely run the plant and get to build and sell axles for Chrysler, as well as other automakers, at the facility. The move to share the Marysville facility with ZF makes sense for Chrysler from a cash standpoint, and it could supply axles for one of the Pentastar's many collaboration projects with other automakers like Nissan. Regardless of whether ZF or Chrysler ends up owning the facility, the plant would still use the union workforce being abandoned from the soon-to-close Detroit Axle plant.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

ZF may share new Chrysler axle plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda ending U.S. motorcycle production

Alex Nunez — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, Motorcycle

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]

Honda ending U.S. motorcycle production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ohio and Indiana gunning for new Honda plant

Chris Paukert — Mon, 22 May 2006 10:04:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Plants/Manufacturing, Acura, Honda

Two states have emerged in the incentive-laden sweepstakes for Honda's next assembly plant in the U.S., Ohio and Indiana.

Ohio, of course, has enjoyed a long history with the automaker, including assembly plants in Marysville and East Liberty, along with a transmission plant in Russels Point and an engine facility in Anna... all within about 45 miles of each other. All-in, Honda employs about 16,000 workers in the state.

Indiana, for its part, would love to have a new $400 million facility within its borders, and Governor Mitch Daniels is hoping to land the project with aggressive incentives packages. Honda is looking at a handful of southeastern sites within around 100 miles of the company's aforementioned Anna engine plant, where drivetrain components will be sourced.

[Sources: The Associated Press via Chron.com; Bouwman.com]

Ohio and Indiana gunning for new Honda plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 May 2006 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to build another North American factory?

Chris Paukert — Tue, 16 May 2006 15:56:00 EST

Filed under: Trends, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

Honda Motor Company has designs on bringing a sixth plant to North America. According to the Associated Press, the automaker expects the facility to come on-line in 2009 and add 150,000 units of capacity to the automaker's operations, with an eye towards a second line potentially doubling the plant's output down the road. For its part, Honda spokesman Shigeki Endo wouldn't speak on the matter beyond suggesting that the report is "...based on speculation," but the automaker has a press Tokyo press conference scheduled for Wednesday.

If Honda decides to go ahead with the plant, it would augment the company's existing 1.4 million units of capacity in North America, presently churning out from facilities in Ohio, Alabama, Mexico, and Canada.

[Sources: The Associated Press via SFGate.com; Daily Home]

Honda to build another North American factory? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 May 2006 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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