Bob Nelson, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. executive vice president, announces Monday the $3 billion investment in a new Honda auto plant that will be built between the company’s East Liberty and Marysville Auto Plants, with an expected 2029 opening date. His announcement was met by a standing ovation from the crowd, which included local and state officials. (HONDA PHOTO)
Honda has touched the lives of many individuals and families throughout Logan County with its strong manufacturing presence here for nearly five decades.
Monday, Nov. 9, the company unveiled a bold and exciting new plan that will write an important chapter into the history books, as Honda plans to build a new auto plant in Union County nearby the existing East Liberty and Marysville facilities in a $3 billion investment in our local area. It will be Honda's fourth auto plant in Ohio and ninth auto-related production facility in the U.S.
This new plant will create more than 2,000 new jobs and increase Honda's U.S. auto production capacity to approximately 1.3 million vehicles a year, said Bob Nelson, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. executive vice president, during a news conference at the Honda Heritage Center announcing the developments.
Honda’s new auto plant, with an expected opening date of 2029, will be located on land between the company’s existing East Liberty and Marysville Auto Plants – with this map showing the new facility located just east of the East Liberty plant nearby Johnson Road. (HONDA GRAPHIC)
In a nod to the company's special history in the region, the planned 2029 opening of the new auto plant, pending final government approvals, will coincide with the 50th anniversary of Honda's Marysville motorcycle plant.
"In 1979, 64 associates known today as the original 64 began producing motorcycles just across the road from where we are today," Nelson said.
“Three years later, automobile production began at the Marysville Auto Plant, Honda's first auto plant in the United States.
“Today, we are taking another historic step. Honda will invest $3 billion to build a new auto plant right here in Ohio.”
Governor Mike DeWine was among the distinguished guests at the press conference who helped to celebrate the historic announcement Monday.
Governor Mike DeWine, left, shakes hands with Bob Nelson Monday at the press conference at the Ohio Heritage Center, prior to giving his remarks. (HONDA PHOTO)
"It's a great day for Ohio,” DeWine said during his remarks. “Ohio and Honda. Honda and Ohio.
“It has been absolutely an amazing partnership, a partnership that has flourished through nine separate governors. I'm the 10th. Both Republicans and Democrat governors. This partnership will continue when Governor Acton takes office in January.
“This is a great Ohio story, a great Ohio success story, and we are blessed.
“Governor (Jim) Rhodes started all this, and my commitment to Honda is this is going to be continued for decades and decades, and no matter who the governor of the state is or who the legislature, this is a relationship that we know is so very important to Ohio.”
Nelson said this multi-billion-dollar investment is in response to growing customer demand for hybrid vehicles in North America. With a planned capacity of 240,000 vehicles, the new facility will help Honda meet this demand, but also with the flexibility to produce multiple vehicle types and powertrains, including hybrid and gasoline-powered vehicles, as well as battery-electric vehicles.
Jun Jayaraman, senior vice president of the Manufacturing Management Center at Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, describes Honda’s philosophy and the importance of the respect for the individual at Monday’s press conference. (MANDY LOEHR | THE CHRONICLE)
The new auto plant will be located on land between the company’s existing East Liberty and Marysville Auto Plants – with a map provided at the press conference showing the new plant located just east of the East Liberty plant nearby Johnson Road.
The new Ohio Honda plant will be one of the most advanced in the world when it comes online in 2029 with leading-edge automation, data-driven technologies and flexible production systems to improve efficiency, quality and competitiveness, officials noted.
The new plant is a part of a broader set of investments at Honda operations in Ohio, Alabama and Georgia that will expand and strengthen an integrated U.S. production network to boost production of hybrid-electric vehicles and the engines and hybrid systems that power them.
"This didn't happen by accident. So many people worked very, very hard," DeWine said.
"In 2029, Honda will have its fourth assembly plant here. Many Ohioans will have the opportunity to build their futures.
"Honda, thank you for once again believing in Ohio. Thank you for believing in Ohio for 50 years."
Check back for more on this story and see Friday’s print edition of the Chronicle for further details.
Governor Mike DeWine speaks to the media during the event Monday at the Honda Heritage Center. (MANDY LOEHR | THE CHRONICLE)
