Honda production associates left their shift at the East
Liberty Plant this morning having finished production of the first U.S.-made
Honda CR-V, an all-new version of one of America's
most popular sport utility vehicles.
Sixty units of the CR-V - all them in the color Nighthawk
Black Pearl - rolled off the same East Liberty assembly
line where Honda associates also build the Honda Civic Sedan and the Honda
Element SUV.
"We're proud that our associates can build three
distinctly different vehicles on a common assembly line with Honda's commitment
to quality," said John Pleiman, plant manager and vice president of Honda
of America Mfg. Inc. "Their dedication has been a key component of Honda's
flexible manufacturing systems, which allow us to respond quickly to market
changes."
Both shifts at East Liberty built the
first batch of CR-Vs, which began to take shape in the body welding shop. They
emerged from the paint shop on the first shift Monday and journeyed down the
final assembly line. The first model was driven off the line at 7:17 p.m. Eastern time.
"Communication is the key part of making flexibility
work on the line," said associate Paula Wilson of Bellefontaine, who has
worked at Honda for 22 years and is one of the original associates at the East
Liberty Plant, which opened in 1989.
Roy Preston of Springfield,
an original East Liberty associate who has worked for
Honda for 20 years, said: "This is the best start we've had of any of the
new models. We were more prepared for it, since our plant has been flexible for
so long."
Flexibility also is a key attribute of the nearby Marysville
Auto Plant, where Honda builds the Accord Sedan, Accord Coupe, Acura TL luxury
sports sedan and Acura RDX luxury sport utility vehicle.
"There was a considerable amount of teamwork around the
world in redesigning and manufacturing the CR-V. Here at East
Liberty, our associates were empowered to suggest process changes
that made this vehicle fit in with the Civic and Element," said Dave
Skidmore, engineering project leader for the CR-V.
CR-Vs made at East Liberty come
equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine produced 40 miles away at
Honda's Anna Engine Plant in western Ohio.
Between 2003 and 2006, Honda has invested about $750 million
to keep its Ohio operations as
state-of-the art facilities. Honda's total U.S.
capital investment in research and development, design, manufacturing and sales
operations has risen to more than $8.5 billion since 1979, when the company
began U.S.
manufacturing.
The East Liberty Plant inaugurated U.S.
light truck production by Honda in Ohio
when the Element went into production in November 2002.
The 2007 CR-V* goes on sale Thursday. The new crossover
vehicle has a dramatic new body structure. Under the aerodynamic look are
safety enhancements, including Honda's exclusive Advanced Compatibility
Engineering (ACE) body structure, six airbags, antilock brakes, pedestrian safety
design and Vehicle Stability Assist with rollover sensor.
Honda of America Mfg. Inc. was established in 1979 to build
motorcycles, adding car production in 1982. It's comprised of four
manufacturing plants - the Marysville Auto Plant, the East Liberty Auto Plant,
the Anna Engine Plant and the original facility, the Marysville Motorcycle
Plant.
Honda employment in Ohio
totals about 16,000. Major operations include Honda R&D Americas Inc. in
Raymond; Honda Transmission Mfg. Inc. in Russells
Point; Honda Engineering North
America Inc. in Marysville and Anna; and the American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
service parts and procurement center in Troy
You can find the new
2007 Honda vehicles at Goodson Honda Houston Texas. Goodson Honda, located in Houston, TX, is
one of the areas finest Honda dealers.
Whether you are shopping for a new Honda car or Honda truck, or
pre-owned used Honda car or Honda truck, ordering Honda parts, or need service
on your current Honda vehicle, you will find friendly, experienced people ready
to help you. Our entire staff is dedicated to making sure your experience with
us is pleasant and enjoyable.
Our dealership is one
of the premier dealerships in the country. Our commitment to customer service
is second to none. We offer one of the most comprehensive parts and service
department in the automotive industry.
Our primary concern
is the satisfaction of our customers.
Our online dealership was created to enhance the buying experience for
each and every one of our internet customers.
Please feel free to call us at the number listed below or send us an
email using the contact us page.
Our service
department offers the best in automotive service to our customers. We are proud
of our state-of-the-art facility, which features the most current diagnostic
and repair equipment available.
Our highly skilled,
factory trained technicians ensure that you and your vehicle receive only the
best of care.
Manufacturer
recommended parts are an important part of maintaining your vehicle's optimum
performance.
We offer the same
high quality parts your vehicle was built with and we keep a large inventory of
these certified parts in stock.
You can reach Goodson
Honda West at (866)417-2210 and Goodson Honda North at (866)414-8441.
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