Honda’s new EV production revolution begins with $1 billion in Ohio

Honda Launches Next-Generation Manufacturing in Ohio

Honda Motor is launching the next generation of its manufacturing in a historically unusual place for the 75-year-old Japanese automaker: Ohio. The company is in the midst of completing more than $1 billion in new investments in the state this year, including installing six "giga presses" and a new "cell" manufacturing system for its upcoming electric vehicle battery cases.

Ohio Investments

Honda’s emerging EV hub in Ohio, including a separate $3.5 billion battery plant, will be the flagship for Honda’s global manufacturing operations. The company’s Marysville Auto Plant will be capable of producing traditional vehicles, hybrids, and EVs on the same assembly line, officials said during a daylong tour of the operations.

Global Standard for EV Production

"The Honda EV hub in Ohio is establishing the global standard for EV production for people, for technology, and for processes," said Mike Fischer, North American lead for Honda’s battery-electric vehicle projects. "As we expand EV production regionally and globally, this is the footprint and the characteristic performance that will be used."

Typically Important Manufacturing Changes

Typically such important manufacturing changes would begin in Honda’s home country of Japan and then get rolled out to facilities in the U.S. and elsewhere, according to company officials. The Ohio investments were initially announced in October 2022 as part of the Biden administration’s push to on-shore manufacturing.

New Manufacturing Processes

To produce the battery packs and other EV components, as well as potentially engines in the future, the company is installing six massive, 6,000-ton high-pressure die cast machines that will "megacast," or "gigacast" materials, as Tesla has referred to it. The massive machines are the size of a small house and use an enormous amount of pressure to form parts.

Conclusion

Honda’s transition to electric vehicles, including fuel cells, is referred to as its "second founding." The company maintains previously announced goals of achieving zero environmental impact by 2050, through three critical action areas: carbon neutrality, clean energy, and resource circulation.

FAQs

Q: Why is Honda investing in Ohio?
A: Honda is investing in Ohio as part of its push to on-shore manufacturing and establish its emerging EV hub in the state.

Q: What is the significance of Honda’s new manufacturing processes?
A: Honda’s new manufacturing processes, including the installation of six "giga presses" and a new "cell" manufacturing system, will enable the company to produce electric vehicle battery cases and other EV components more efficiently and cost-effectively.

Q: What are the goals of Honda’s transition to electric vehicles?
A: Honda’s goals for its transition to electric vehicles include achieving zero environmental impact by 2050, through three critical action areas: carbon neutrality, clean energy, and resource circulation.