Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to build a new finished-vehicle plant in Ohio, U.S. The investment will be approximately ¥470 billion, annual production capacity will be 240,000 vehicles, and operations are scheduled to begin in 2029. The project will expand Honda's mass-production footprint in the U.S. for the first time in approximately 20 years and is expected to strengthen hybrid vehicle production.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced plans to build a finished-vehicle plant in Ohio in the U.S. Midwest. In light of slowing demand for electric vehicles and the impact of high gasoline prices, the company will strengthen production of hybrid vehicles, for which sales are expected to increase. Annual production capacity will be 24,000 vehicles, the investment will be $3 billion (approximately ¥470 billion), and operations are scheduled to begin in 2029.
The new plant will be built adjacent to Honda's East Liberty plant in the state, marking the construction of a new mass-production plant in the U.S. for the first time in approximately 20 years. Total production capacity in the U.S. is expected to reach approximately 1,300,000 vehicles, with the plant offering the advantage of being able to coordinate with other factories.
The specific models to be produced have not been disclosed, but Honda may expand its hybrid lineup with large SUVs in mind. More than 2,000 new jobs are expected.
In the U.S. political environment, developments such as the results of the midterm elections have drawn attention to the direction of automotive policy.