June 2004

Honda Aims to Have the Most Environmentally 'Clean' Facility

Marysville, OH— Honda of America Mfg. unveiled plans to construct a $123 million paint facility at its Marysville Auto Plant, continuing Honda’s commitment to a cleaner environment, flexible and efficient manufacturing, and high-quality products for its customers.

This is the largest single investment among a series of renovations and expansions at Honda’s two auto plants in Ohio. Honda’s 25-year commitment to manufacturing in Ohio has grown to more than $6 billion over the years.

“This project is the latest step to keep us competitive in the global vehicle business and ensure the future of our operations,” said Koki Hirashima, president and CEO of Honda of America.

“It is fitting that, in our 25th anniversary year of U.S. manufacturing leadership, we will build an industry-leading paint facility,” Hirashima said. “Our goal is to keep our original American automobile plant among the most efficient, clean and flexible in the industry.”

Construction begins this month on the facility, which replaces the oldest of the plant’s original paint lines. The Marysville Auto Plant was the first Japanese auto plant in America when it began producing Accord sedans in November 1982. Honda began U.S. manufacturing with a motorcycle plant in 1979.

Housed in a 234,000-square-foot expansion, the paint facility will introduce waterborne paint systems to the Marysville plant when it goes into full operation in mid-2006. This, along with new paint systems developed by Honda, is expected to reduce emissions by 41 percent. Investment in high-efficiency ovens, air recycling systems and highly efficient variable drive motors should reduce energy use by 34 percent.

Honda of America also announced that it is constructing a 20-million-gallon pond system behind the Marysville Auto Plant that will recycle rainwater to cool the plant in warm-weather months. The 7-acre pond will save tens of thousands of dollars in energy costs and significantly reduce the use of groundwater. The pond will be filled with runoff from parking lots and roofs.