READ MORE: Honda's impact goes beyond manufacturing
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Honda is a major employer in the region, with about 1,400 workers from Clark and Champaign counties. It employs more than 14,500 Ohioans overall. Several area companies, including KTH Parts Industries in St. Paris and Parker Trutec in Springfield and Urbana supply parts for Honda.
The manufacturer earned the Edmunds recognition for the Civic in the compact car category, the CR-V in the compact sport utility vehicle category, the Accord in the midsize car category and the Odyssey in the minivan category. The Accord is manufactured at Honda’s Marysville plant while the CR-V is manufactured in the nearby East Liberty site.
The Civic is manufactured in Greensburg, Ind., while the Odyssey is made in Lincoln, Ala.
“The vehicles recognized as Edmunds Buyers Most Wanted are doing everything right when it comes to attracting the attention of car shoppers,” Edmunds Executive Director of Industry Analysis Jessica Caldwell said in a statement. “These awards represent the voice of the customer and celebrate the vehicles that are winning both the hearts and wallets of car buyers.”
DETAILS: Honda, major Clark, Champaign County employer, sees record sales
In September, Honda announced an investment of more than $260 million and addition of 300 jobs to support production of the newest version of its flagship Accord model. Workers at the Marysville facility have produced nine generations of the Accord.
It also is in the midst of building at the Transportation Research Center a $124 million, high-tech wind tunnel in East Liberty, the first time the company has invested in a full-scale facility of its kind in the U.S. The wind tunnel will likely be operational by summer 2020.
Workers in Marysville have produced more than 11 million Accords since the sedan first went into production in Ohio.
“The awards earned by the Honda Accord and CR-V demonstrate the commitment of our Honda associates in Ohio and the incredible work they do every day to make the highest quality products for our customers,” said Tom Shoupe, executive vice president at Honda of America Mfg. Inc.
The latest data from Motor Intelligence showed through October, Honda’s total U.S. sales are about flat compared to the same time last year.
The company’s total car sales were down slightly, but light truck sales increased about 2.5 percent. Across the industry, total light vehicle sales are down about 2 percent compared to the first 10 months of last year.
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By the numbers
1,400: Clark and Champaign County employees at Honda
14,500: Ohioans employed by Honda overall
1982: Year Honda began manufacturing in Ohio
$220M: Honda’s investment in Marysville to prepare for Accord production
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