Consultants Forum Advertise
Subscribe
Close

  • Free for qualified executives and consultants to industry

  • Receive quarterly issues of Area Development Magazine and special market report and directory issues

Subscribe Now
Renew

Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Honda of Canada Mfg Upgrades Alliston, Ontario, Assembly Plants

03/21/2022
Honda of Canada Mfg., a division of Honda Canada Inc., will invest $1.38 billion over six years to upgrade its manufacturing plants in Alliston, Ontario.

The plants will implement new and innovative technologies, processes, supply chain and vehicle research and development programs, as a part of Honda's goal to reach zero emissions by 2040, according to company officials.

"This represents an important milestone for Honda as we move forward in our ambitious vision to make battery electric vehicles represent 100 per cent of our North America vehicle sales by 2040," said Jean Marc Leclerc, President and CEO of Honda Canada. "HCM is home to a team of remarkably talented associates who build some of Honda's most popular and fuel-efficient products. This investment not only ensures our product and manufacturing competitiveness within Ontario, Canada and abroad, but also significantly bolsters our ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help Canada attain its overall climate targets."

HCM is partnering with both the governments of Canada and Ontario, with each level of government providing an equal and conditional contribution of $131.6 million.

"Today's announcement is more proof that there is no better place for auto manufacturing than right here in Ontario. We are home to the most skilled workers anywhere in the world, we have all the necessary natural resources, and we have created the best environment for jobs to grow and businesses to flourish. We are so pleased that Honda has made this investment in Ontario and that the cars of the future will be built here in Alliston and all across Ontario for decades to come,” Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario said.

The announcement marks an important step in the company's pathway to electrification and will see HCM become the North America Lead Plant for the all-new 2023 CR-V Hybrid crossover, company officials noted. This will bring Honda's total Canadian facilities investments to more than $6.5 billion since 1986, when Honda became the first Japanese automaker to build a Canadian manufacturing facility.

"With today's investment, our government is securing thousands of good, well-paying jobs in Ontario's auto sector. This investment will help support Honda as they transition to producing the cars Canadians want; low and zero-emission vehicles. Investments like these show that our government is here to support Canada's auto sector today and to ensure that the right skills, tools and workforce are in place so we can keep producing the cars of the future here in Canada for decades to come,” The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry noted.

By retooling both production lines at HCM, Honda will secure thousands of well-paying, high-quality jobs in Alliston and throughout Honda's extensive Canadian supplier network, the company said. Financial commitments will also see a range of enhanced job training initiatives and expanded inclusive hiring practices, as well as research and development programs that further reduce environmental impacts of vehicle production. These investments will have a lasting and profound benefit for the Honda Canada dealer network, partnering suppliers, and the overall Canadian auto industry, including employees, their families, and the communities where they live and work.

Exclusive Research