At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Honda unveiled a concept version of the Acura NSX and announced that it will be manufactured in Ohio.
While Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO Takanobu Ito unveiled the concept version, the company is keeping most of the vehicle's details under wraps. However the NSX will employ a lightweight chassis, a mid-mounted V-6 engine and Acura's new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.
Ito said the new supercar will come to market within three years.
Honda plans to produce the new supercar near its current auto production operations in central Ohio at its, advanced manufacturing operation. The original Acura NSX was built at Honda plants in Japan from 1990 to 2005.
In addition, the new sports car will be developed in the U.S., including the Ohio Center of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. Headquartered in Torrance, Calif., Honda R&D Americas has major research and vehicle development operations in the Raymond, Ohio center, where much of the work on the NSX will take place.
"Honda associates in Ohio have been building high-quality Honda and Acura vehicles for nearly 30 years, so this news in many ways is a culmination of their determined efforts," said Hidenobu Iwata, head of Honda's North American manufacturing operations and president of Honda of America Mfg., Inc.
Honda opened its first auto plant in the U.S. nearly 30 years ago in Marysville, Ohio. Today, Honda builds more cars and light trucks in the state of Ohio than all other automakers combined. Honda has the capacity to build 680,000 passenger cars and light trucks at its two auto plants in Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio.
The company's Anna, Ohio, engine plant, with capacity of 1.18 million units, is the largest automobile engine factory in Honda's global production network. Honda also manufactures automatic transmissions in Russells Point, Ohio.
Honda has seven auto plants in North America with the overall capacity to manufacture 1.63 million automobiles. Using domestic and globally sourced parts, approximately 90% of the Honda and Acura products sold in the U.S. are built in North America.
