Honda to Build Popular CR-V in Ohio

December 20, 2004 -- MARYSVILLE, Ohio -- Strengthening its lineup of cars and light trucks assembled in Ohio, Honda's popular CR-V sport-utility vehicle (SUV) will be produced in Ohio starting in 2006, Honda of America Mfg. announced today.

The CR-V will be produced at one of Honda's two auto plants in the state. The Element light-duty truck already is being built at Honda's East Liberty Auto Plant. In addition, a new entry-level Acura SUV is scheduled for production in Ohio starting in 2006.

Through November, Honda has sold more then 133,000 CR-Vs in the United States this year. The CR-V and Acura SUV join a lineup in Ohio that now includes the Honda Accord and Acura TL at the Marysville Auto Plant, and the Honda Civic and Element models at the East Liberty plant.

"Adding CR-V production to Ohio is another example of building products close to our customers," said Koki Hirashima, Honda of America's president and CEO. "In addition, it demonstrates the flexibility of our plants and the capabilities of our associates to meet the needs of our customers for cars and light trucks."

Honda has invested more than $8 billion in 12 plants and other operations in North America. And nearly eight of 10 vehicles Honda sells here are made in those plants.

Using domestic and globally sourced parts, last year Honda of America produced 677,000 Honda and Acura vehicles, as well as 108,500 motorcycles and ATVs and 1.1 million auto engines.

Honda's North American employment now totals more than 30,000 associates at the company's 12 North American manufacturing plants, three major R&D centers and dozens of other sales, parts and related facilities. With the recent addition of a production line at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, Honda's total North American auto production capacity was boosted from 1.25 million units to 1.4 million units.