Honda just announced the construction of a $550 million automobile plant in Decatur County, Indiana, to build fuel-efficient vehicles and employ 2,000 Hoosiers.
With a vision of sustainability, Honda wants to create a "zero waste-to-landfill" factory. They say their goal is for the plant in Indiana to have "the smallest environmental footprint of any Honda auto plant in North America." . . .
Honda has also voluntarily pledged to increase their fleet’s average fuel economy by five percent over 2005 levels by the year 2010. Nearly 8 of 10 Honda and Acura cars and light trucks sold in America are produced in North America. They employ more than 33,000 associates and purchase more than $16 billion in parts and materials annually from suppliers in there.
In addition to the new auto plant in Indiana, and raising fuel standards of cars, Honda’s North American plan also included the following new corporate initiatives:
- Introduction in the U.S. and Canada in 2009 of a new, more affordable, dedicated hybrid car.
- Expansion of U.S. engine, transmission and powertrain component production in Ohio and Georgia, with additional investment of $125 million and additional employment of 80 associates.
- Construction of a new engine plant in Canada to begin production of 4-cylinder engines in 2008 with an investment of $140 million and employment of 340 associates.
- Introduction in the U.S. and Canada within the next three years of new 4-cylinder diesel engine technology that meets U.S. EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards.