Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Honda Auto Production Hits 10 Million Cars and Light Trucks in the U.S.

Marysville, Ohio 11/25/2003 -- In a significant milestone after more than two decades of automotive manufacturing in the United States, Honda today produced its 10-millionth automobile in the United States.

This important production milestone follows by only two months the sale of 20 million Honda and Acura automobiles in America - announced by American Honda Motor Co., Sept. 24. Honda of America Mfg. started auto production near Marysville, Ohio in 1982, only 3 years after its motorcycle plant opened in 1979.

"This milestone is based upon the achievement of the associates in our plants who challenge themselves every day to meet the high expectations of our customers," said Honda of America Mfg. President Koki Hirashima. "Working in partnership with hundreds of suppliers in the U.S. and North America, they have proven that American workers can compete in the global automobile industry."

Now with three auto plants in America, Honda was the first Japanese automaker to produce automobiles in the United States - beginning with an auto plant near Marysville, Ohio, where production of Honda Accords began on Nov. 1 1982. Today, the Marysville Auto Plant manufactures the Accord Sedan and Coupe models, and the Acura TL on two assembly lines using domestic and globally sourced parts.

The Marysville plant was followed in 1989 by an auto plant in nearby East Liberty, Ohio, that produces the Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe models, and the Element light-duty truck. In 2001, Honda's auto plant near Lincoln, Ala., joined the two Ohio plants with production of the Honda Odyssey minivan.

Production capacity of the three auto plants is 830,000 cars and light-trucks per year. A second line will go into production at the Alabama plant this spring, increasing Honda's U.S. auto production capacity to 980,000 units per year. Honda also builds more than 1.25 million auto engines per year at plants in Anna, Ohio, and at the Alabama plant - and 1 million automatic transmissions annually at a plant in Russells Point, Ohio. With additional auto plants in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, and El Salto, Mexico, Honda's current total North American automobile capacity is 1.25 million cars and light-trucks per year.

In Ohio, the Marysville Auto plant has produced more than 7.2 million cars on 2 production lines, with another 2.5 million from one line at the East Liberty plant. The new Alabama plant has produced more than 266,000 Odysseys.

"We owe a debt of thanks to our customers for leading the growth of our production of automobiles in America, said American Honda President Koichi Kondo. "This customer loyalty is recognition that our U.S. associates build products of the highest quality, reliability and value."

Out of the 10 million cars and light trucks produced in the U.S., 8.85 million were purchased in America. The rest were sold in Canada and Mexico, and also exported to customers in Japan and other countries. Today, approximately 75 percent of Honda vehicles annually purchased in the U.S. are manufactured at Honda plants in North America.