AUTO

Honda Electric Cars To Be Produced at Ohio-Based EV Hub in 2025

April 22, 2024

Honda will make EVs, batteries, and EV components in three of its most important Ohio plants: Marysville, East Liberty, and Anna.
Honda is investing at least $700 million in the plants to lead the long-awaited beginning of Honda EV production in North America.
The company is hiring 300 new associates at its Ohio EV Hub, and an existing 300 associates at the Marysville Auto Plant will undergo upskilling to produce new Honda electric cars.

Stunning Honda news came with an announcement of some bold EV plans from the brand. Honda aims to improve its laggard EV reputation by making substantial moves toward producing large numbers of electric cars for the American market. The company announced it is turning its central Ohio internal combustion engine (ICE) manufacturing facilities into an EV Hub. Honda plans to officially start EV production in the Ohio facilities in 2025.

Honda was the first Japanese original equipment manufacturer to produce cars in the United States, and Central Ohio has historically been an important cornerstone of Honda’s North American operations. Honda plans to make electric cars, batteries, and EV components in three of its most important plants: Marysville, East Liberty, and Anna. Currently, reconfiguring is underway at the plants to switch from ICE to EV.

A $700 Million Investment To Create an EV Manufacturing Hub

Honda is investing at least $700 million in its Ohio-based facilities — which are its Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant, and Anna Engine Plant — to lead the long-awaited beginning of producing Honda electric cars in North America.

The Honda Accord, Acura TLX, and Acura Integra are currently produced at the Honda Marysville auto plant, which has been simplified from two manufacturing lines to one. A second line is currently in the retooling process to produce Honda’s self-developed EVs and possibly additional ICE models if needed.

“The establishment of our EV Hub is not simply an investment in retooling and equipment; we are investing in the Honda associates who will be taking on new responsibilities to lead us into the electrified future,” said Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Our EV Hub in Ohio is playing an essential and strategic role for the evolution of EV production at Honda, in North America and globally.”

Intelligent Power Units (IPUs), which contain the EV’s power electronics and battery, will have a new secondary area in the Honda Marysville auto plant. IPUs from the Marysville plant will also be supplied to Honda’s forthcoming EV operations at East Liberty, Ohio.

The Honda East Liberty plant is also undergoing some alterations to handle EV production. This plant currently makes the Honda CR-V and other ICE models. The plant is getting key upgrades in its overhead conveyor system to handle extra weight. This is needed due to the heavy weight of EV batteries.

Upcoming Acura and Honda EV models are scheduled for production in Ohio by late 2025. Honda and Acura are preparing for the introduction of their first 2024 all-electric SUVs in the North American market, the sporty Honda Prologue, and the exciting Acura ZDX.

The Honda Anna Engine Plant (AEP)

The Honda Anna Engine Plant (AEP), a facility known for manufacturing Honda engines, engine components, transmissions, camshafts, crankshafts, and cutting-edge CVT components, is heralding a new era in Honda and Acura’s EV production. AEP is now set to manufacture the IPU case.

The Honda Anna Engine Plant will be equipped with six 6,000-ton high-pressure die-cast machines, including an impressive unit standing over 31 feet tall, to mega-cast the IPU case. This initiative marks Honda’s first in-house manufacturing of the IPU, a significant leap toward autonomous EV production.

Unlike previous projects, the IPU case’s complexity requires it to be die-cast in two parts and then seamlessly welded together using Friction Stir Welding, a process that promises unparalleled precision and strength in the joins. To accommodate the new manufacturing line, in 2023, AEP reallocated the production of engine components for two engine generations to the Alabama Auto Plant.

Creating 300 New Jobs and Upskilling 300 Existing Positions

Honda is spearheading a significant shift toward EV production with its new Honda EV Hub in Ohio. The company expects to bolster its workforce by hiring 300 associates at its Ohio EV Hub, a pivotal move aimed at ramping up its capabilities in the fast-evolving EV landscape. An existing 300 associates at the Marysville Auto Plant will undergo upskilling to handle assembling IPUs.

The Ohio EV Hub is more than just a production facility for Honda’s electric cars — it is set to become an important leader in American EV manufacturing.

L-H Battery Company Joint Venture

In January of last year, LG Energy Solution and Honda announced the establishment of an EV battery joint venture, tentatively named L-H Battery Company. The partnership includes a significant $4.4 billion investment and is set to generate 2,200 new jobs in Ohio.

Honda targeted 100% zero emissions vehicle sales by 2040, based on its highly commendable goal to achieve carbon neutrality.