Honda announces $30M investment in Ohio facilities

Honda announced plans Monday to invest more than $30 million at three facilities in Ohio as part of a plan to boost production of the company’s electric vehicles.

The auto maker announced the start of mass production of its new 2019 Honda Insight hybrid model at the company’s facility in Greensburg, Ind. As part of that decision, Honda said it will spend about $29 million at the Honda Transmission Manufacturing of America plant in Russells Point in Logan County. That facility is responsible for production of the Insight’s twin electric motor unit, a key component of the car’s powertrain.

In addition, the company is making smaller investments at facilities in Marysville and its Anna, Ohio engine plant. The Insight’s hybrid battery pack is assembled in Marysville while workers in Anna produce the Insight’s 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine, according to information from the company.

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“The investment in Honda Transmission Mfg. of America, Inc.to support the all-new 2019 Honda Insight is an example of Honda’s Electrification Initiative, which will introduce electrified powertrains to virtually all of its core models in the years ahead,” said Tom Shoupe, executive vice president, Honda of America Mfg., Inc. “The investment at HTM demonstrates Honda’s confidence in its Ohio associates and its commitment to building electrified vehicles in America.”

In all, the company is investing $61.5 million in Ohio and Indiana in support of production of the Insight. The company’s investments in Greensburg, Ind. include a new 19,200 square-foot building expansion to accommodate in-house assembly of the vehicle’s front end module.

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The company has previously announced that two-thirds of its global auto sales will be electric vehicles by around 2030.

About 1,400 workers from Clark and Champaign counties work for the automaker, and it employs about approximately 14,500 Ohioans overall.

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Honda spent a record $32.4 billion for parts and materials from U.S. suppliers for its North America operations last year, including firms in Clark and Champaign Counties. Of that, company officials said about $10 billion was spent in Ohio with 173 suppliers.

The 2019 Honda Insight is scheduled to be delivered to Honda dealerships nationwide early this summer, according to information from the company.

By the numbers:

$61.5M — Honda’s recent investment in Ohio and Indiana

$29M — Honda’s investment at Russells Point

3 — Ohio plants that contribute to the Insight’s powertrain

19,200 square feet — New addition to Honda’s Greensburg, Ind. plant

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