| Honda Motor Co. officially breaks ground for its $550 | | | | and our customers in America." |
| million-worth plant in Indiana. The groundbreaking | | | | "Over the years, we will ask the associates of Honda |
| ceremony of the new automobile plant, known as | | | | Manufacturing of Indiana for their ideas to make our |
| the Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC (HMIN), was | | | | products better and the plant the safest place it can |
| held yesterday. The new plant with 2,000 associates | | | | be," said Uenohara, the new president of Honda |
| will produce the popular Honda Civic sedan and the | | | | Manufacturing of Indiana. "This is the Honda way and |
| mass production will start in fall next year. | | | | this spirit will guide us at Honda Manufacturing of |
| The HMIN's first president will be Yuzo Uenohara, | | | | Indiana." |
| who previously held the position of senior vice | | | | The hiring of the company for the Indiana facility will |
| president at the Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, | | | | not start until late this year. Advertisements started |
| LLC. The company first announced its plans to build | | | | February 21. The advertisements cover |
| Indiana plant in June 2006. The building of a new plant | | | | non-production positions like automotive engineering, |
| is aimed at meeting the growing customer demand. | | | | information technology, purchasing and administration. |
| The HMIN will be the automaker's seventh auto plant | | | | Said advertisements received over 6,000 responses. |
| in North America and one of 17 major Honda | | | | Moreover, the hiring is expected to start in late 2007. |
| manufacturing facilities in the said territory. It is also | | | | Indiana plant's major production processes include |
| aimed at bolstering Honda's total North American | | | | stamping, welding, painting, plastic injection molding, |
| automobile production capacity from 1.4 million units | | | | sub-assembly as well as final assembly operations. |
| to over 1.6 million units in 2008 as well as boost the | | | | The assembly and mass production of Honda Civic |
| employment in North America to more than 37,000 | | | | sedan for the model year 2009 is set to begin in fall |
| associates and capital investment in North America to | | | | 2008. |
| more than $9 billion. | | | | In 2006, the automaker has manufactured more than |
| "In Indiana we will create an efficient and flexible | | | | 1.16 million Honda and Acura passenger cars and |
| manufacturing environment that is a great place for | | | | trucks in North America. In that same year, 77 |
| everyone to work," said Koichi Kondo, the president | | | | percent of over 1.5 million Honda and Acura vehicles |
| & CEO of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and chief | | | | were purchased by American consumers. A number |
| operating officer of Honda's North American Regional | | | | of purchasers consider auto add-ons like |
| operations. "In this way, we are breaking ground for | | | | Weathertech mats and other accessories to ensure |
| more than an auto plant. We are breaking new | | | | utmost protection without compromising style. |
| ground in our relationship with the people of Indiana | | | | |