The state of Ohio is the home of American Honda and will soon be accepting one more responsibility. With help from a $98 million investment, the Anna, Ohio engine plant will supplement the entire state’s assembly complex so production of the brand’s next generation of continuously variable transmissions (CVT) can begin. The final building point for the “gearless” transmission will be at the recently expanded Russell Point facility. The investment and its product all fall in line with Honda’s “Earth Dreams” powertrain portfolio that was announced late in 2011.
“Applying Honda’s new Earth Dreams Technologies in the production of engines and transmissions will greatly enhance the driving performance of Honda vehicles, and help us achieve fuel economy leadership in every segment over the next three years,” said Hide Iwata, president and CEO for Honda of America MFG. “The production of this new CVT technology puts the Buckeye State right in the middle of Honda’s global strategy.” Anna will be responsible for the major internal components of the CVT, i.e. the tension pulleys. These parts were initially going to be built-in Japan and then shipped to the states and even though a few of them will be, the majority of the transmission’s parts will be U.S. made. The 84,000 square foot facility will be getting extra help by way of 150 new jobs as well as new heating and grinding tools. The first vehicle to receive the new CVT will be the 2013 model Accord which will be built in Ohio as well at the Marysville Auto Plant.
Source: Honda
