Honda is now moving forward with the next stages as it prepares to build electric vehicles (EVs) in the US. According to Electrek, the automaker is now setting the stage for its EV Hub in Ohio, with plans to transition the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP) where they stated their US production in 1982.
The EV Hub in Ohio
Based on a press release, MAP in Ohio will be Honda's first US plant to transition to making EVs in a symbolic move. EV production is expected to start at MAP by January 2024 and the automaker will consolidate two production lines that currently produce combustion engines and hybrid vehicle systems into one to make room. As part of the transition, MAP employees will receive new training.
Honda will ship Honda Accord production to its Indiana plant to allow for the EV transition in Ohio. The Japanese automaker also plans to transfer two different generations of engine manufacturing from their Anna Engine Plant (AEP) in Ohio to the Alabama Auto Plant.
The transfer will make room for future IPU case production, which will be combined with battery modules produced by its EV battery facility with LG Energy Solutions (LGEs). It is expected that the battery plant will be finished by the end of 2024 with around 40 GWh annual production capacity.
The company reassures employees that it will maintain stable employment even with the transition.
It can be recalled that in October 2022, Honda announced that it was investing $700 million to retool three separate Ohio plants for EV production and the associated components.
The automaker also partnered with LGES to invest over $3 billion in a new battery plant in Ohio to establish an EV hub in the state.
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Revamping Business Operations
Honda is indeed, making up for the lost time as it also revealed its plans to revamp its business operations earlier in the year. Doing so will ignite momentum in its electric mobility business.
In fact, the first electric SUV and the first dedicated EV by the automaker, the Honda Prologue, is set to hit the market in 2024. The EV is in collaboration with General Motors.
Overall, Honda is making a concerted effort to compensate for the lost time in the electric vehicle market. With investments into its battery plant, partnerships with other automakers and battery suppliers, and the revamping of its business operations, the automaker is well on its way to becoming a major player in the EV market.
The automaker is investing heavily in research and development of battery technology as well as partnerships with other automakers and suppliers to ensure it can deliver on this promise.
Honda is taking significant steps towards becoming a major player in the global automotive market by revamping its business operations alongside investments into emerging technologies like EVs and ADAS solutions. With these efforts combined together we should see some exciting developments coming out of Honda over the next few years.
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