Honda's flexible manufacturing allows building Civic and trucks on ...

TORONTO, April 4 /CNW/ - As part of a North American plan to increase production of the fuel-efficient Civic, Canada's top-selling car the past nine consecutive years, and to demonstrate Honda's ability to match its flexible manufacturing capacity with market demand, Honda Canada has added production of the Civic sedan to Plant 2 at the Honda of Canada Mfg. facility in Alliston, Ontario. The Civic sedan will now also be produced on the same line as the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck and Acura MDX luxury SUV. "This opportunity allows us to take advantage of our flexible production system, a resource that allows us to efficiently meet the demands of our customers and dealers," said Jim Miller, executive vice president, Honda Canada, Inc. As one of the most fuel-efficient car companies in North America, Honda is meeting demand for its popular Civic models in a timely fashion with increased production capacity by up to 60,000 vehicles on an annual basis. Production of Civic Sedan models has been added for the first time to Honda's Plant 2 production in Alliston, Ontario, which has produced only light truck models since opening in fall 1998. Plant 1 in Canada currently builds Honda Civic sedans and coupes and the Acura CSX sedan. The added Civic production capacity will maintain Alliston's current annual production of 390,000 units. Honda Canada Inc., is increasing its contribution to the Canadian economy by adding a third manufacturing facility in Ontario that will produce up to 200,000 fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines in 2008. The new plant increases Honda's commitment to Canada by an additional CDN $154 million and 340 new jobs.

Across its entire portfolio of products, Honda Canada provides Canadians with dependable vehicles, motorcycles, power equipment and marine engines. With 130 manufacturing facilities in 29 countries worldwide, Honda attracts nearly 20 million customers annually. Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, Civic coupe, Civic sedan and Civic Si coupe, and the Acura CSX sedan and MDX sport-utility vehicle at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario.

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For further information: Sandy Di Felice (416) 453-6505; Richard Jacobs (416) 543-6593

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