After 40 years of manufacturing automobiles in the U.S., Honda on Jan. 19 marked the 30 million vehicle production milestone at the company's auto manufacturing facilities in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana and Ohio.
Honda began production of the Honda Accord at the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP) in Ohio on Nov. 1, 1982, the first Japanese automaker to produce cars in the U.S. Since that time, Honda has invested $16 billion in manufacturing facilities in the U.S. that support auto production and, in 2022, more than two-thirds of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in America were made in the U.S.
"We recently celebrated 40 years of manufacturing autos in the U.S. and reaching this 30 million milestone is the direct result of our associates, past and present, who made this significant achievement possible," said Bob Schwyn, senior vice president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC. "This accomplishment reflects the commitment of Honda associates to serve our customers, who spur our creativity to make the high-quality products we know they will love."
Twelve Honda and Acura cars and light trucks, including hybrid versions of the Honda Accord and CR-V, are currently produced at the company's five auto plants in Alabama, Indiana and Ohio. The engines, transmissions and two-motor hybrid systems that power these vehicles are produced in Ohio, Alabama and Georgia. Honda employs almost 17,000 associates at the eight production facilities that contribute to the annual production capacity of 1.3 million vehicles.
Looking toward the electrified future, Honda recently announced two major investments to establish an "EV Hub" in Ohio, including $700 million to re-tool several of its existing auto and powertrain plants for production of electric vehicles and a $3.5 billion joint investment with LG Energy Solution (LGES) to establish a joint venture battery facility in Ohio.
The $700 million investment will transform Honda's Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) and Anna Engine Plant (AEP) for the electrified future, including the creation of more than 300 new jobs. These Honda facilities, along with the new EV battery plant, will serve as a new EV hub in Ohio, and play a key role in developing the company's knowledge and expertise in EV production that will be shared across Honda's North American auto production network in the coming years.
Honda also recently announced plans to produce fuel cell electric vehicles at the company's Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio.
As part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050, Honda announced a vision to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its vehicle sales by 2040 in North America.
Honda Manufacturing in America
Honda has been producing automobiles in America for more than 40 years, beginning in November 1982 with the start of automobile production at the Marysville Auto Plant.
In 2022, more than two-thirds of all Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were made in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts. Honda's cumulative auto production in America now exceeds 30 million vehicles.
Honda established manufacturing operations in America in 1979 with the start of motorcycle production in Marysville, OH, and today has one of the largest and most diverse U.S. manufacturing footprints of any international company. The company's 12 plants employ more than 22,000 associates in America, supporting operations that have an annual capacity of more than 1.27 million automobiles, 1.52 million engines, 500,000 power equipment products and 300,000 powersports products, as well as the HondaJet advanced light jet and GE Honda HF120 turbofan engines.
Cumulatively, Honda has invested $19 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations, including more than $3.2 billion over the past five years alone. The company also works with more than 600 U.S. original equipment suppliers, with U.S.-sourced parts purchases of $23.1 billion in 2021 and approximately $470 billion since 1979.
Source: Honda
Abby Andrews