Honda Makes Major Investment in Ohio to Create New Electric Vehicle Hub
In a remarkable move towards sustainable automobile production, Honda has declared major investments in Ohio. They intend to inject $700 million for re-tooling several of their existing auto and powertrain plants for the manufacture of electric vehicles. In addition, a significant $3.5 billion collaboration with LG Energy Solution (LGES) is on the cards to establish a joint venture facility. This facility, pending final government approvals, will be dedicated to producing battery modules that will power these electric vehicles. The proposed location for this joint venture battery plant is in Ohio’s Fayette County, approximately 40 miles southwest of Columbus.
The announcement, held 45 years to the day after Honda announced its first production facility in Ohio — October 11, 1977 — will transform Honda’s Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) and Anna Engine Plant (AEP) for the electrified future, including the creation of over 300 new jobs. Honda plans to begin production and sales of Honda EVs in North America in 2026, based on its new Honda e:Architecture.
The $700 million re-tooling will enable AEP associates to produce the battery case, to be combined with the battery modules from the JV plant on a sub-assembly line at MAP, with the complete battery unit then installed in EVs built by associates at both MAP and ELP. These Honda facilities, along with the new EV battery plant, will serve as a new EV hub in Ohio, and play a key role in developing the company’s knowledge and expertise in EV production that will be shared across Honda’s North American auto production network in the coming years. Honda’s EV hub will leverage the company’s longstanding production, product development, and purchasing operations located in Central Ohio.
As part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities by 2050, Honda announced a vision to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its vehicle sales by 2040 in North America. This vision aligns with the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship and underlines its dedication to a sustainable future. As Honda ramps up its efforts to electrify its vehicle lineup, the company is not only making strides towards achieving its own environmental goals but also contributing to broader global efforts to combat climate change. The transition represents a monumental shift in Honda’s manufacturing, and further solidifies Ohio’s position as a crucial hub in the emerging electric vehicle market.
“This is a very challenging time for our entire industry, but also a very exciting time as Honda invests in full electric vehicle production in the Buckeye State,” said Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda has built hybrid-electric vehicles in Ohio for a number of years, and the experience and expertise of our associates in manufacturing, product development, and purchasing will serve as an important foundation as we transition to the electrified future.”
