New Honda Plant up and Running

The new plant will serve as the global leader of Hondas motorcycle production operations around the world.

Honda says the production line from the existing motorcycle plant at Kumamoto Factory will gradually be transferred to the new plant, with the transfer expected to be completed before then end of 2008. Motorcycle engine production will also be transferred to this new plant from Hondas Hamamatsu Factory before the end of 2009.

Also, all motorcycle production from Hondas facility in Marysville, Ohio will cease in the spring of 2009. However, in a reassuring move Honda stated that the 450 employees working at the Marysville Motorcycle Plant will be integrated into the four auto production facilities dotting Ohio.

Honda says it built the plant with the concept of being people-friendly and environmentally-responsible with an emphasis on light, wind and water. To help the plant achieve its environmental goals, a solar panel system has been incorporated as well as the utilization of natural light.

Honda calls its new plant a green factory and says it will achieve a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions, compared to the existing motorcycle plant at Kumamoto Factory.

New equipment and technologies have also been introduced to the new plant, such as automatic lifts and lift assist devices that help employees in processes involving heavy components.

Through these measures, the new plant achieves ergonomic improvements in production processes and a better work environment, as well as improved production flexibility, Honda says in a release.

Once the process of consolidating motorcycle production is complete, the new plant is scheduled to produce a full range of motorcycles from the 50cc model to medium and large-sized motorcycle models.

Including ATVs, production capacity at the plant is about 500,000 units per year.

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