Expansion Management

Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio to Produce New Acura NSX

May 15, 2013

'Thirty years ago, building cars in America was a big dream. Working together, here in Ohio and across North America we turned this dream into reality,' said Hidenobu Iwata, CEO of Honda of America.

Adrienne Selko

A new $70 million advanced production facility encompassing 184,000 square feet to be housed inside Honda's (IW 1000/30) former North American Logistics facility, will be the new production facility for Acura's new NSX auto. It will be Honda’s third auto plant in Ohio.

The facility is located in the midst of Honda's existing R&D and production engineering operations. Just a few miles away is the Honda R&D Americas, Inc. Ohio Center that is engineering the car for production and it is adjacent to Honda of America Mfg.'s Marysville auto plant.

"Thirty years ago, building cars in America was a big dream," said Hidenobu Iwata, CEO of Honda of America and the head of Honda's manufacturing operations in North America. "Working together, here in Ohio and across North America we turned this dream into reality."

"The location of this facility is in the midst of one of the greatest collections of engineering and production talent in the world, " Iwata added. " So it makes sense that we will renew the dream and build this high-tech, supercar in Marysville, Ohio."

The Performance Manufacturing Center will employ approximately 100 highly skilled manufacturing associates drawn from within Honda's existing operations in Ohio. In addition, associates at Honda's engine plant in Anna, Ohio, will assemble the NSX powertrain.

"This new plant will be as unique as the vehicle we will build here," said Clement D' Souza, associate chief engineer at Honda of America who is leading the team that will bring NSX to mass production in 2015. "In creating the plan for this plant, we looked closely at each process and determined the perfect blend of associate craftsmanship and technology to adopt a new approach to manufacturing."

The new NSX is being developed by a global R&D team led by designers and engineers at Honda R&D Americas, Inc. located in Los Angeles, Calif., and Raymond, Ohio.

The NSX will feature a unique powertrain and body structure. It will be powered by a mid-mounted V-6 engine mated to Acura's new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.

The original Acura NSX was built at the Takanezawa Plant in Japan from 1990 until production moved to the Suzuka Plant in early 2004, where it was produced until 2005.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.