Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Honda's Indiana Plant Begins Production of 2010 Civic Sedans for Export

GREENSBURG, Ind., Sept. 21, 2009 - Less than a year after starting mass production,* the Honda Manufacturing of Indiana plant is announcing today the building of Honda Civic Sedans for sale in Mexico and export to 22 Latin American and Caribbean nations and U.S. territories.

The first Civics destined for export were shipped last week. Until now, the more than 50,000 Civics built at the Greensburg plant had been sold exclusively in the United States.

"We designed our Greensburg plant to be world class, and thanks to the spirit and quality work of our Indiana associates, we will soon be proving it around the globe," said Yuzo Uenohara, president of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana (HMIN) LLC.

The Greensburg plant was dedicated in November 2008. Its associates work on all aspects of vehicle production, including metal stamping, plastic injection molding, painting, subassembly and final assembly. Engines for Civics made in Greensburg are produced at Honda's engine plant in Anna, Ohio.

"The United States remains the primary market for our Indiana-built Civics," said Rick Schostek, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana vice president. "Manufacturing products for export broadens the experiences of our associates, contributes positively to America's and Indiana's international trade, and shows our commitment to the continued growth and evolution of our business in Indiana."

Honda's initial U.S. auto production for export occurred in 1987 when the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio built Accords for shipment to Taiwan. Shipments to Japan followed the following year. Since beginning manufacturing operations in the United States 30 years ago, Honda has exported more than 3 million automobiles, light trucks, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and power products.

"We are proud of our Indiana workforce," Schostek said. "Our Greensburg plant has ramped up to full single-shift production, and now we have embarked on production for export. This is another step in our growth."

In addition to Mexico, the Greensburg plant will build vehicles for sale throughout Latin America, the Caribbean, and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and Saipan.

In May, Honda announced that the Greensburg plant had become the sole production source of the near-zero emissions, natural gas-powered Honda Civic GX Sedan.

About Honda Manufacturing of Indiana:

Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN) produces the popular and fuel-efficient Honda Civic Sedan and Honda Civic GX. HMIN is Honda's seventh auto assembly plant in North America and one of 16 major Honda manufacturing facilities in North America, including two under construction in North Carolina.

Honda began US. operations in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., as the company's first overseas subsidiary. Honda began U.S. manufacturing in 1979 with motorcycle production, followed by car production in 1982, in Marysville, Ohio. Cumulative output of Honda and Acura automobiles in North America surpassed the 20 million mark in February 2009 and the 15 million mark in the U.S. alone in May.