Honda begins production of Accord in Alabama

RP news wires, Noria Corporation

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama LLC marked the start of production of the Accord V-6 Sedan on July 17, 2009 utilizing the plant's flexible manufacturing system to meet customer demand for Honda's lineup of passenger cars and light trucks and ensure the most efficient use of Honda's manufacturing capacity in Alabama and throughout North America.

HMA is now the production source of four Honda vehicles: the Odyssey minivan; the Pilot sport utility vehicle; the Ridgeline pickup; and the Accord V-6 Sedan, as well as the V-6 engines that power each vehicle.
A brief ceremony attended by more than 1,000 Line 2 associates marked the start of mass production of the Accord in Alabama. The first Alabama-built Accord was a top-of-the-line EX-L model in Silver Metallic, equipped with leather interior and a navigation system.

"The quick transfer of production of the Accord V-6 Sedan from Ohio to Alabama in a nine-month time period is a testament to Honda's production flexibility and confidence in our Alabama workforce," said Chuck Ernst, HMA senior vice president. "We are honored to add the Accord as the latest model in our production lineup."

The Accord was first produced in the U.S. in 1982 at the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio. It was the first Japanese-nameplate car produced in the United States. The success of the Accord demonstrated that quality automobiles could be built in America and set a path for Honda in North America. Seven more Accord generations followed, leading to the eighth-generation Accord now being built in Alabama and Ohio. In October 2008, Honda announced Accord V-6 Sedan production would be added in Alabama to allow increased production of Accord 4-cylinder models in Ohio.

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