Honda of Canada Mfg. to Invest more than $1.38 billion in Ontario Manufacturing Plants in Preparation for Electrified Future

Investment is a step toward realizing Honda's goal of zero emissions by 2040, establishing HCM as a global leader in hybrid electric vehicle production

ALLISTON, ON, March 16, 2022 /CNW/ - Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM), a division of Honda Canada Inc., announced today that it will invest $1.38 billion over six years to upgrade its award-winning Alliston, ON, manufacturing plants. The plants will implement new and innovative technologies, processes, supply chain and vehicle research and development programs, as a part of Honda's goal to reach zero emissions by 2040.

Today's announcement marks an important step in the company's pathway to electrification and will see HCM become the North America Lead Plant for the all-new 2023 CR-V Hybrid crossover. This will bring Honda's total Canadian facilities investments to more than $6.5 billion since 1986, when Honda became the first Japanese auto maker to build a Canadian manufacturing facility.

HCM is partnering with both the governments of Canada and Ontario, with each level of government providing an equal and conditional contribution of $131.6 million.

"This represents an important milestone for Honda as we move forward in our ambitious vision to make battery electric vehicles represent 100 per cent of our North America vehicle sales by 2040," said Jean Marc Leclerc, President and CEO of Honda Canada. "HCM is home to a team of remarkably talented associates who build some of Honda's most popular and fuel-efficient products. This investment not only ensures our product and manufacturing competitiveness within Ontario, Canada and abroad, but also significantly bolsters our ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help Canada attain its overall climate targets."  

Honda's overall fleet emits the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions among internal combustion engine manufacturers in Canada*, and new hybrid products will reduce GHGs by 30 per cent compared to traditional gasoline powered vehicles. The shift to these new products aligns with Canada's overall GHG reduction goals and Honda's global goal of realizing carbon neutrality for its entire business, including products and operations, by 2050. 

By retooling both production lines at HCM, Honda will secure thousands of well-paying, high-quality jobs in Alliston and throughout Honda's extensive Canadian supplier network. Financial commitments will also see a range of enhanced job training initiatives and expanded inclusive hiring practices, as well as research and development programs that further reduce environmental impacts of vehicle production. These investments will have a lasting and profound benefit for the Honda Canada dealer network, partnering suppliers, and the overall Canadian auto industry, including employees, their families, and the communities where they live and work.

Honda of Canada Mfg. has the capacity to produce more than 400,000 vehicles and 190,000 engines annually, including the Honda Civic, Canada's best-selling passenger car for 24 consecutive years, and CR-V models for the Canadian and North America markets, as well as for export.  Approximately 100,000 Canadian-built Civic and CR-V units are sold annually in Canada.

QUOTES

"Today, we're investing in workers, in communities, and in our future. Building hybrid-electrics will support thousands of good jobs here in Alliston and grow the economy, all while cutting pollution and keeping our air clean. By helping Canadians build – and then drive – cleaner vehicles, we're delivering on our plan to build a better future for all."
-The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"Today's announcement is more proof that there is no better place for auto manufacturing than right here in Ontario. We are home to the most skilled workers anywhere in the world, we have all the necessary natural resources, and we have created the best environment for jobs to grow and businesses to flourish. We are so pleased that Honda has made this investment in Ontario and that the cars of the future will be built here in Alliston and all across Ontario for decades to come."
– Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

"With today's investment, our government is securing thousands of good, well-paying jobs in Ontario's auto sector. This investment will help support Honda as they transition to producing the cars Canadians want; low and zero-emission vehicles. Investments like these show that our government is here to support Canada's auto sector today and to ensure that the right skills, tools and workforce are in place so we can keep producing the cars of the future here in Canada for decades to come."
– The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

"Ontario is proud to support Honda's major investment to retool its Alliston plant to manufacture the company's next-generation models, including hybrid versions. By reducing the cost of doing business in Ontario by nearly $7 billion annually, our government has created the economic conditions necessary to attract yet another important investment that further positions Ontario as a North American leader in developing and building the car of the future."
– Vic Fedeli, Ontario Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade

For more details and to subscribe to the latest Honda Canada news and updates, please visit www.hondanews.ca.  

* Green House Gas (GHG) report by Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2019

About Honda of Canada Mfg.
Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) began production in Alliston, Ontario in November 1986 and is Honda's only manufacturing facility in Canada. HCM's three plants sit on 890 acres, encompass approximately 4 million square feet, and employ more than 4,200 associates. The plants have the capacity to produce more than 400,000 vehicles and 190,000 engines annually. HCM manufactures two of Honda's best-selling models, the Honda Civic and the CR-V, along with the 1.5 litre, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. HCM's capital investment is over $4.7 billion, and it will produce its 10 millionth vehicle in 2022. For more information, please visit www.hondacanadamfg.ca.

About Honda Canada
Honda Canada Inc. was founded in 1969 and is the parent company for both Honda and Acura vehicle brands in Canada. Since 1986, the company has produced Honda engines and almost 10 million cars and light trucks at its Alliston, Ontario manufacturing facilities, where the Honda Civic and Honda CR-V are currently built. Honda Canada has invested over $6.5 billion in Canada, and each year sources over $3 billion in goods and services from Canadian suppliers. Since its inception, Honda Canada has sold over five million Honda and Acura passenger cars and light trucks in Canada through a dealer network of more than 280 dealerships across the country. For more information, please visit www.hondacanada.ca.

SOURCE Honda Canada Inc.

John Bordignon, [email protected]