The 2013 Honda Accord went into production this week, taking the Japanese company into its 30th year of US production.
Ohio Governor John Kasich and other dignitaries were on hand as the first Accords rolled off the assembly line August 20 at the plant in Marysville, Ohio where manufacturing began on November 1, 1982. In that year, the second generation of Accords was produced at the plant. The 2013 model represents the ninth generation. The Marysville Auto Plant has produced 9 million Accords in its years of operation.
Honda points to its 30th-anniversary milestone as evidence of a long and continuing economic relationship with North America. More than 200 US suppliers manufacture parts for the Accord, the company says; and its purchasing in North America will exceed $20 billion this year. Honda buys from some 600 North American suppliers, 500 of whom are in the US and 150 of whom are in Ohio.
An example of Honda's continuing American investment is the manufacture of its new "Earth Dreams" powertrain, which went into production in Marysville last week and represents a $220 million investment and the creation of 150 jobs.
Honda employs a total of 4,400 workers at Marsyville, which produces the Accord sedan and coupe, and the Acura TL. The other Ohio plant, in the town of East Liberty, produces the Honda's Crosstour and CR-V, and Acura's RDX. Honda provides jobs to 13,500 workers in Ohio.
More than 85 percent of the Hondas and Acuras sold in the US are produced at Honda's seven North American auto plants. By 2014, the company intends to increase its manufacturing capacity in the region from 1.63 million to 1.92 million.
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