Canadian Production of the All-New 2012 Honda CR-V Begins at Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, ON

More than 70 per cent of Honda vehicles sold in Canada will now be built in Canada

ALLISTON, ON, Jan. 23, 2012 /CNW/ - Production of the all-new 2012 Honda CR-V, Canada's top-selling import SUV, officially began today at Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, ON. With the addition of CR-V to the Ontario facility, Honda Canada's two best-selling vehicles, the Honda Civic and CR-V, are now being made in Canada by Canadians.

"The Honda CR-V has set the gold standard in the compact SUV segment and has been embraced by Canadians since it arrived here in 1997," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. "We're proud that the all-new 2012 CR-V will be Canadian built."

The addition of the CR-V to HCM's production lineup makes it the first Honda plant in North America to produce four distinct models (Civic, CR-V, MDX and ZDX) on one line, demonstrating the flexibility and capability of HCM and its Associates.

"It certainly has been a challenging year for our 4,200 Associates at HCM," said Gilles Madore, vice president, Honda of Canada Mfg. "But with Civic being named Canada's number one-selling passenger car for the fourteenth straight year and the addition of Honda's second best-selling vehicle in Canada to our facility, we're incredibly proud of what we have accomplished and are ready to provide Canadians with a made-in-Canada CR-V."

In November 2011, Honda celebrated 25 years of manufacturing in Canada at its facilities in Alliston, Ontario. Since 1987, Honda has built close to 6 million vehicles and invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada. The company also purchases more than $1.1 billion in goods from Canadian suppliers every year.

"The inauguration of Honda's new CR-V at the Alliston plant in Ontario signals the strength of the auto sector in Ontario, new momentum for Honda and demonstrates confidence in the province's economy," said Brad Duguid, Minister of Economic Development and Innovation.  "This move helps secure our position as a top auto manufacturing hub in North America and protect valuable sector jobs."

About the 2012 CR-V
For 2012, the fourth-generation Honda CR-V embraces a sophisticated styling direction in conjunction with improved interior comfort, improved fuel economy, a smoother and quieter ride, and more innovative features as part of a 'total package' approach. Long considered as a benchmark vehicle in its class with high levels of quality, refinement and value, the 2012 CR-V is designed to exceed customer expectations in Canada's compact sport-utility vehicle (SUV) segment with increased value resulting from added content and lower MSRPs across the entire CR-V lineup.

Starting at just $25,990, the all-new Honda CR-V has its lowest starting price in more than a decade.

About Honda Canada
Honda Canada Inc. was founded in 1969 and currently employs approximately 4,700 associates in addition to more than 15,000 dealership personnel across the country. Honda Canada has built close to 6 million cars and trucks since 1986. Honda's two vehicle assembly plants in Alliston, Ontario, produce Honda CR-V, the Civic Coupe, Sedan and Si models, and the Acura MDX and ZDX. An adjacent engine plant produces fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines for Civic. All three plants have achieved zero-waste-to-landfill status. Honda Canada has invested more than $2.6 billion in Canada, and annually sources nearly $1.1 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Additional information, including photos, can be accessed at www.hondanews.ca.

Image with caption: "Honda Canada celebrates the start of mass production of the all-new 2012 CR-V, now made in Canada at the company's manufacturing facility in Alliston, Ontario. (Left to Right) Nobuyuki Sanui, President, Honda of Canada Mfg. and Takashi Sekiguchi, President and CEO, Honda Canada Inc. (CNW Group/Honda Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120123_C5525_PHOTO_EN_9111.jpg