Honda will invest $215 million in Ohio, the center of its North American operations, primarily to expand its engine-making capabilities.
The Japanese maker is in the midst of rolling out an array of hybrid and more conventional gasoline engines designed to cope with stricter new emissions and fuel economy regulations. The new package brings to $500 million the total investment in the Anna, Ohio engine plant during just the last three years.
The new investment also will cover training programs for the workers building Honda’s new “Earth Dreams Technology” engines and transmissions, noted Rick Schostek, senior vice president of Honda North America, Inc., during a presentation at an industry conference in Traverse City, Michigan.
“Even as we introduce more sophisticated technologies in our products and in our plants, we are working to ensure that our associates are equipped with the skills required for the manufacturing requirements of the future,” said Schostek. “We view this investment in Honda people as critical to our future success.”