Media

Kristina Kennedy, a senior engineer and quality project leader with Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Ohio, is the latest subject of the What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda video series. Kennedy helps bring the voice of the customer to the product development team to enhance Honda products like the all-new 2018 Odyssey.

"Diversity of thought is going to make us all stronger, it's going to make us all better, it's going to make our products better," said Kennedy. "Customers that we serve don't all use a car in one way, so it's important for our product development team to relate to those different voices and reflect that to our products."

Four years ago, Kennedy helped create a network of female Honda engineers to help connect the women of the company. Her goal was to help the women find a mentor and meet new people. 
In her spare time, Kennedy enjoys volunteering for her daughter's Girl Scout troop. She often incorporates science, engineering and math activities into her troop meetings. Kennedy says she is inspired by their 'nothing is impossible' mindset.

The What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda video series focuses on Honda associates who live out Honda's commitment to The Power of Dreams, a global theme that encourages Honda associates to conceive ideas that will create new value for customers and society and then show the determination required to bring those dreams to life. In addition, the video series spotlights the inspiring efforts of Honda associates in their work and in the community.

About Honda in North America 
Honda established operations in America in 1959 and now employs more than 40,000 associates in its North American sales, R&D and manufacturing operations with total capital investment in North America exceeding $22 billion.

Based on its longstanding commitment to "build products close to the customer," Honda operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, power equipment products, such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines, and the HondaJet advanced light jet.

Nine Honda auto plants in the region, including five in the U.S., have the capacity to produce 1.92 million automobiles each year. In 2016, more than 96 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America. Those plants today manufacture 17 different models, including nine passenger cars and eight light trucks using domestic and globally sourced parts. Honda also operates 16 major research and development centers in the U.S. with the capacity to fully design, develop and engineer many of the products Honda produces in North America.

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