Honda has announced significant progress in establishing its planned ‘Honda EV Hub’ in Ohio, a pivotal step towards the production of Honda’s electric vehicles in North America. The company now plans to commence production at the EV Hub by late 2025, a year earlier than previously anticipated.
The update provided by Honda indicates that the conversion of its plants in the US state of Ohio for electric vehicle production is progressing ahead of schedule. Specifically, Honda aims to start production of electric vehicles at the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP) by the end of 2025, instead of the previously communicated target of 2026. Concurrently, the joint battery cell factory of Honda and LG Energy Solution in Ohio, with an annual production capacity of approximately 40 GWh, is also set to commence operations by the end of 2025.
In preparation for the launch of the Ohio EV Hub, Honda plans to hire 300 associates, while an additional 300 associates at the Marysville Auto Plant will undergo upskilling for IPU assembly. The company has committed to investing at least $700 million to transform its Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP), and Anna Engine Plant (AEP) into the core facilities of the EV Hub, serving both the North American and global markets.
Initially, the Marysville Auto Plant will produce both combustion and electric vehicles on the same line, allowing Honda to leverage this flexibility as a strategic advantage to swiftly adapt to changing market demands.
Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., emphasized the significance of the EV Hub, stating, “The establishment of our EV Hub is not simply an investment in retooling and equipment, we are investing in the Honda associates who will be taking on new responsibilities to lead us into the electrified future.” He further added, “Our EV Hub in Ohio is playing an essential and strategic role for the evolution of EV production at Honda, in North America and globally.”
Honda’s investment in its US manufacturing operations totals $19 billion, with over $3.6 billion invested in the past five years alone, underscoring the company’s commitment to advancing its electric vehicle production capabilities in North America.
