American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Since the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., in 1959 as Honda's first overseas subsidiary, Honda has invested more than $7 billion in sales, marketing and R&D operations in North America.
American Honda is responsible for the sales, marketing, service, distribution and export of automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment in the United States. But the company's reach and influence extends far beyond, playing a key role in Honda's global success.
The company became the first Japanese automaker to assemble cars in America, opening its first plant in Marysville, Ohio, in 1982. American Honda maintains one of the most extensive R&D operations in the industry, with the capability of developing three separate automobile models simultaneously. And the company is a leader in environmental research, including both clean emissions and alternative fuels.
Today, more than 75 percent of all Honda and Acura cars sold in the U.S. are assembled in North America, using some 450 North American suppliers. Additionally, Honda is the top-selling motorcycle manufacturer in both the U.S. and the world, owning 30 percent of the domestic U.S. market and selling more than 5.5 million motorcycles and ATVs each year.
Honda operates 11 major manufacturing plants in North America, including automobile, motorcycle, power equipment, ATV and engine assembly plants. Together, American Honda employs more than 21,000 associates in North America.
Last year, American Honda sold more than one million automobiles, a half-million motorcycles, and 1.5 million power products and engines. Honda's newest automobile assembly plant, in Lincoln, Alabama, began operations in 2001 and now produces a total of 150,000 vehicles and engines annually- becoming the first Honda auto production facility in the world to assemble both vehicles and engines under one roof.
American Honda also exports U.S.-made automobiles, motorcycles and power equipment, sending vehicles and products to more than 100 countries. Since 1987, American Honda has exported more than 500,000 North American-made automobiles to other countries.
Hand-in-hand with Honda's dedication to engineering and advancements in automotive technology, American Honda has a long heritage of both car and motorcycle competition.
In addition to the Indy Racing League, Honda-powered drivers and teams are active in all forms of racing, including karting, AMA motorcycle competition, import drag racing and all types of sports car road racing.
Honda's commitment to engineering excellence-both in production cars and racing competition-keeps the company in tune with the philosophy of Soichiro Honda, and makes its customers the ultimate winners.