Honda to Invest $61.5 Million in Indiana, Ohio Manufacturing Plants

Honda recently announced $61.5 million in new capital investment at its manufacturing plants in Indiana and Ohio for production of the 2019 Honda Insight.

The launch of the Insight at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana (HMIN) reflects the company’s increasing investment in the production of electrified vehicles in America. Honda previously announced its intention that two-thirds of its global auto sales will be electrified by around 2030. Under the Honda Electrification Initiative, the company plans to introduce electrified powertrains to virtually all its core models in the years ahead.

"The new Honda Insight exemplifies our growing investment in the production of electrified vehicles in America, and our associates in Indiana are proud to play a key role in this initiative," said Isao Matsuzaki, president of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana. "As the lead plant for Insight production globally, we are committed to delivering the quality and reliability that our customers expect."

HMIN will build all Insight models for the North American market and has invested $32.5 million to support production. Three Ohio plants contribute the Insight's powertrain. Honda Transmission Manufacturing of America (HTM) in Russells Point, Ohio, has invested $29 million for production of the Insight's twin electric motor unit. The Insight's hybrid battery pack is assembled at the company's auto plant in Marysville, Ohio, where Honda also produces the 2019 Accord Hybrid. The Insight's 1.5-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine is produced at the company's engine plant in Anna, Ohio.

Among the changes made to the Indiana plant for Insight production is a new 19,200-square-foot building expansion to accommodate in-house subassembly of the vehicle's front-end module. This modular approach to the construction of the vehicle's front frame and associated components, such as the radiator and cooling fan, was first introduced on the 2016 Civic and is now employed for the Accord and CR-V as well. The new Insight marks the first time the Indiana plant is subassembling the front-end module in-house. Other new processes include the installation of electrified vehicle systems such as high-voltage wiring, the battery unit and power control system.

As one of five Honda automobile assembly plants in the United States, HMIN began production of the Civic in 2008 and now also builds the CR-V sport utility vehicle and Insight hybrid vehicle. With more than 2,400 associates and a capital investment exceeding $1 billion, the plant has the capacity to produce 250,000 vehicles annually.

For more information, visit www.honda.com.