Honda Motor Company and its Indiana assembly outfit will soon get a boost in preparation for Civic Hybrid. Starting early next year, the gasoline/electric variant will call the U.S. its home by way of a $40 million investment. Not only will Honda Manufacturing of Indiana LLC be responsible for the high mileage sedan, it will continue as the producer of the conventional Civic sedan and coupe as well as the upcoming Acura ILX model line. In order to keep up with demand, the automaker will also jump production capacity from 200,000 to 250,000 units a year.
The Civic Hybrid used to call Japan home but with the increasing strength of the Japanese Yen, many manufactures are moving production out of the country. Given that the majority of the North American Civics are built at Honda’s Indiana and Canada plants, the move makes simple sense. With increased production planned to begin early in 2013, Honda is getting ready now by making approximately 300 new jobs open for the taking.
“Increasing production in Indiana will provide us with increased flexibility to adjust model mix at our other plants in North America,” said Senior Vice President of Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, Bob Nelson.
Source: Honda
