Value To America

Honda has a long history of high value-added contributions to the U.S. economy through investments in its U.S. manufacturing and R&D capabilities, and in its U.S. supply base. The company also makes positive contributions to society and quality of life through its pioneering efforts in improving fuel efficiency & reducing emissions, enhancing safety, and providing a consistently high level of product quality and value to its customers.

Local Product Creation - U.S. Manufacturing and R&D

* Honda has been manufacturing automobiles in America for over 25 years1, beginning with production of the Honda Accord in Marysville, Ohio, in 1982. Today, Honda continues to expand its local manufacturing capabilities, including new plants and new products in America.
o Honda now has 10 manufacturing plants in America, with three new plants under construction:
+ $550 million plant for production of the Honda Civic Sedan (2008) in Greensburg, Indiana
+ $100 million plant for production of the innovative HondaJet (2010) in Greensboro, North Carolina
+ $27 million fuel-efficient jet engine plant in Burlington, North Carolina.
o Employment of nearly 27,000 associates in manufacturing, R&D, sales and other operations
o U.S. capital investment of nearly $9 billion
o More than $17.1 billion in parts and materials purchased from U.S. suppliers in 2007 – a $1.5 billion increase from the previous year.
* Honda has one of the most comprehensive U.S. product R&D programs of any international automaker.
o Honda’s U.S. R&D operations develop new products from initial market research and concept creation to styling, design and complete platform engineering.
o Six of the 16 Honda and Acura models sold in America (approximately 30% on a sales-weighted basis) and 4 of 7 light truck models were researched, designed and developed in America. These include innovative and popular models such as the Acura TL and MDX, and Honda Civic Coupe and Coupe Si, Element, Pilot and Ridgeline truck.
o Two new California automobile design centers were opened in 2007 – a new $15 million Acuraexclusive design center in Torrance, adjacent to the company’s Los Angeles Center and U.S. sales headquarters, and an Advanced Design Studio, in Pasadena, developing future product concepts.

Safety and Environmental Leadership

* Honda has been a leader in the development of new technologies that enhance automotive safety and environmental performance.
o During the past 15 years, Honda has achieved the highest fleet average fuel economy of any automaker and is the leader in advanced fuel cell vehicle technology for tomorrow.
o The Union of Concerned Scientists named Honda the “Greenest Automaker” for the fourth consecutive time in 2007. This biennial award was based on the lowest combined CO2 and HC emissions for its MY06 vehicle fleet among all U.S automakers.
o More than 99 percent of all Honda and Acura models sold in the U.S. in 2007 earned NHTSA’s top 5-star crash safety rating in the New Car Assessment Program frontal crash test.
o Honda has led the industry by voluntarily introducing new technologies and designs that improve compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and heights, and enhance pedestrian safety.