Honda To Expand Production Of Light Trucks, Engines At Alabama Plant

Bloomberg News (11/15, Ohnsman) reports, “Honda Motor Co., Japan’s third- largest automaker, will spend $84 million and hire 100 more workers to expand production of light trucks and engines at its assembly plant in Alabama.” In a statement, Honda said that “the investment will boost annual capacity for the Lincoln, Alabama, plant to 340,000 vehicles and engines by 2013 from 300,000 now.” Bloomberg News notes, “Asian automakers including Honda are expanding output capacity in North America as US sales recover from a recession in 2008 and 2009. Demand for new cars and trucks grew 10 percent this year through October, and most companies and analysts are forecasting total sales of 12.5 million to 13 million vehicles in 2011.”

The AP (11/15) reports, “The $1.5 billion plant began production with the Odyssey minivan. The plant employs about 4,000 people and is the sole North American producer of the Odyssey, the Pilot SUV and the Ridgeline pickup.”

The Birmingham Business Journal (11/15, Poe, Subscription Publication) reports, “The latest investment, which brings Honda’s total investment this year up to $275 million and 140 jobs, is tied to the addition of the Acura MDX luxury SUV to the plant’s production lineup, the company said.”

On its website, WLTZ-TV Columbus, GA (11/15) notes, “In 2013, the Lincoln plant will start making the luxury Acura MDX sport utility vehicle.”

Also covering the story are the Anniston Star (11/15, McCreless), WVTM-TV Birmingham, AL (11/15, Jackson) and other media sources.

Read the article here: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-11-16/honda-expanding-alabama-plant-to-lift-light-truck-engine-output.html

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