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Value to America Issue Brief
Honda has deep roots in America and a long history of contributing to the U.S. economy through U.S. manufacturing, sales, R&D and finance, with cumulative capital investment of more than $12.3 billion, since the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., as Honda’s first overseas subsidiary in 1959. The company also makes positive contributions to society and quality of life through its pioneering efforts to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance vehicle and pedestrian safety, while providing a consistently high level of product quality and value to its customers.
Manufactured in America
In 2012, Honda marks the 30th anniversary of automobile manufacturing in the U.S.*, beginning with production of the Honda Accord in Marysville, Ohio, in 1982. Today, Honda remains committed to enhancing its local manufacturing capabilities.
- 85 percent of Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. were manufactured in North America in 2011. For over a decade, Honda has maintained a local production rate above 75 percent.
- Honda has nine manufacturing plants in six states America producing a diverse range of Honda and Acura automobiles, engines, transmissions, power equipment and power sports products. For more, see Honda's U.S. Investment Map.
- Honda is investing nearly $800 million in new manufacturing capabilities in America, creating 1,290 new jobs.
- More than $500 million (and 150 new jobs) in new production capabilities and upgrades to plants in Ohio – the East Liberty and Marysville auto plants, the Anna engine plant, and the Russells Point transmissions plant.
- $275 million (and 140 new jobs) at the Lincoln, Alabama auto plant, increasing the plant’s annual production capacity by 40,000 units to 340,000 Honda and Acura cars and light trucks per year.
- 1,000 new jobs added at the Greensburg, Indiana auto plant for two-shift production and the addition of Acura ILX and ILX Hybrid in Spring 2012.
- Two new U.S. plants under development to support Honda’s entry into the aerospace business:
- A $118 million plant for production of the HondaJet advanced light jet, in Greensboro, North Carolina, the world headquarters of Honda Aircraft Company.
- A $81 million jet engine plant in Burlington, North Carolina, home of Honda Aero, Inc., future manufacturer of the GE Honda HF120 turbofan engine.
*Honda and Acura vehicles are produced using domestic and globally sourced parts.
Employed in America
Working together across all sectors – sales, parts and service, manufacturing, research and development, engineering, and finance– Honda associates strive to deliver the highest possible quality and value to customers.
- More than 26,000 Honda associates are engaged in manufacturing, R&D, sales, finance, and other operations nationwide.
- Honda’s 2011 U.S. payroll exceeded $1.85 billion
- Honda’s U.S. business supports the employment of approximately 134,000 individuals at 1,300 Honda and Acura dealerships in America.
Researched and Developed in America
Honda was the first international automaker with the capability to perform “complete product creation” in America, marked by the establishment of Honda Research California in 1979. Today, Honda has the most U.S. R&D facilities of any international auto manufacturer.
- Honda’s U.S. R&D operations perform all aspects of new product creation from initial market research and concept creation to styling, design, and complete platform engineering.
- Honda operates 14 R&D facilities in the U.S., including three California design studios, a power equipment research and testing center in South Carolina, and a major automotive development center in Raymond, Ohio, which features extensive vehicle development, testing and prototype fabrication capabilities, along with one of the world’s most sophisticated indoor crash test facilities.
- 24 Honda and Acura auto and light truck models have been researched, designed, and developed in the U.S. since 1991.
- Fully one-third (6 of 18) of the 2012 Honda and Acura models sold in America were researched, designed and developed in America.
Sourced in America
Honda has been growing its local U.S. supplier base for 30 years. Through technology and mentoring, Honda helps its U.S. supplier base increase quality and productivity. These improvements strengthen the suppliers’ business, while contributing to the stability of the entire U.S. automotive industry.
- Honda works with more than 500 U.S. OEM parts suppliers in 34 states providing the parts and materials to assemble Honda and Acura products in the U.S.
- Honda spent $14.4 billion on parts and materials purchased from U.S. suppliers in 2011.
- In addition to its OEM parts supply network, Honda works with 19,000 companies that supply maintenance, repair and operational (MRO) services to Honda’s U.S. operations.
Safety and Environmental Leadership in America
Honda continually invests in original technology designed to balance customer demands for performance and safety with environmental responsibility.
- Honda led the industry with its ‘Safety for Everyone’ initiative to apply a core suite of advanced safety technologies to all Honda and Acura vehicles regardless of vehicle size or price.
- Today, American Honda is among the leaders in achieving top-level safety ratings, including 13 model year 2012 Honda and Acura models that achieve an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” rating.
- Honda is reaching beyond federal safety regulations with the adoption of leading pedestrian injury mitigation designs and with its Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure that helps to address the issue of compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights in a frontal collision.
- Honda was named America’s “Greenest Automaker” by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fifth consecutive time in 2010, marking a decade of leadership in high fuel efficiency and reduced tailpipe emissions including CO2.
- A Honda vehicle has topped the “greenest vehicle” rankings of the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy for 11 straight years.
- Honda has led all automakers in the introduction of virtually every low emissions vehicle technology requirement, including the first gasoline-powered LEV, ULEV, SULEV, and AT-PZEV vehicles introduced to U.S. consumers.
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