Honda Will Construct Central Ohio Facility to Build Acura NSX

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Following a meeting with Honda officials in Detroit today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) welcomed news that Honda plans to build a new central Ohio facility to manufacture the Acura NSX. The NSX will be developed in the US, including the Ohio Center of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. located in Raymond. Brown met with John Mendel, Executive V.P. of Auto Sales for American Honda Co. at the North American International Auto Show earlier today.

“Honda and its Ohio suppliers employ more than 10,000 Ohioans and the plants are vital economic anchors in Ohio communities,” Brown said. “Today’s investment underscores the company’s track record of investment in Ohio workers and its commitment to making quality vehicles.”

“Just a few years ago, the entire auto industry was in jeopardy. While Honda didn’t require assistance, the company supported providing help to its competitors. Leaders at Honda knew that the collapse of GM or Chrysler would send ripples throughout the auto supply chain – and affect thousands of good paying, manufacturing jobs at companies that supply to Honda. Today, instead of seeing layoffs, we’re seeing new jobs and new investments in Ohio auto facilities.”

In August 2011, Brown joined leaders and workers from Honda to help highlight the $400 million in investments that the automaker has made at Ohio’s four Honda facilities. Since 2011, Honda has invested $166 million at the East Liberty Auto Plant, $64 million at the Marysville Auto Plant, $31 million at the Anna Engine Plant, and $145 million that created 100 new jobs at the Russels Point Transmission Plant. Honda employs more than 13,000 workers in Ohio.

Yesterday, Brown joined the United Autoworkers and the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) to unveil new data outlining employment projections for Ohio’s auto industry and to discuss how the auto assistance not only stabilized Chrysler and General Motors, but helped save and add manufacturing jobs throughout the State of Ohio. CAR’S analysis revealed that Ohio added more than 3,000 new auto jobs between 2009 and 2010, and by 2015, Ohio will add more than 3,500 new jobs in the automotive sector.  

Brown has been an outspoken advocate for Ohio’s auto industry. In November of 2008, he introduced S. 3175, the Auto Industry Emergency Bridge Loan Act, with Sen. Voinovich and a bipartisan group of colleagues. In December 2008, Brown fought to ensure that funds were allocated to aid the GM and Chrysler and American auto suppliers. At the start of 2009, Brown applauded President Obama’s decision to advance restructuring plans to ensure the viability of the American auto industry.

According to a 2010 study by the Center for Automotive Research, more than 792,000 Ohio jobs depend on the auto industry; this figure includes 120,285 direct employment (people employed directly by auto industry: 39,685 by automakers and 80,600 by parts suppliers); 276,330 indirect employment (jobs indirectly employed by automakers or parts suppliers: 167,891 by automakers and 108,439 by parts suppliers); and 395,981 spin-off employment (expenditure-induced employment resulting from spending by direct and intermediate employees; 221,018 by automakers and 174,963 by suppliers). A 2011 study by the Center for Automotive Research found that 164,654 jobs in 2009 would have been lost in Ohio if the auto industry had not been rescued.

 

 

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