Honda of America (HAM) marked the start of volume production of the redesigned 2018 Accord (the first Honda model built in the US back in 1982) with an announcement of new spending and jobs at the factory in Ohio.
Honda spent US$267m and is adding 300 jobs for production of the new Accord and to increase production at its Marysville Auto Plant (MAP).
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The spend includes $220m at MAP for new technologies and processes, including a new $165m welding department with 342 robots and $47m at the nearby Anna, Ohio engine plant for production of the new model's 1.5 and two litre turbocharged engines, the first application of turbohargers in the US Accord line.
MAP has also added a laser brazing process for the Accord's roof and new stamping techniques to produce its more sharply sculpted body. This is the first Accord to have high performance structural adhesives for improved body rigidity and an application of acoustic spray foam to the body for enhanced cabin quietness.
MAP also added a new sub-assembly process for the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) in the redesigned Accord Hybrid which will return (from Japan) to production in Ohio.
"The new jobs and production growth will enable us to meet anticipated strong demand for the new Accord," said MAP plant manager Rob May.
The Accord, the first Japanese car made in America, has been in continuous production at Marysville since November 1982 and cumulative US production is over 11m units.
The 2018 Accord is completely new with a lighter and more rigid body structure, new chassis, two new, high torque, direct injected and turbocharged engines, the (claimed) world's first front wheel drive 10 speed automatic transmission and new safety, driver-assistance and connected car technology.
The Honda designed 10 speed automatic transmission is produced at the Honda Precision Parts of Georgia transmission plant in Tallapoosa. Honda recently announced a combined US$149m spend for the Russells Point, Ohio, and Tallapoosa plants to facilitate production of the new 10AT.
All 2018 model year Accords will have the full suite of Sensing safety items and driver assistance as standard equipment including Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS), Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow and new Traffic Sign Recognition. All Accords also have a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera with dynamic guidelines.
Honda of America has targeted top US government (NCAP) and IIHS collision safety ratings for the new model. Standard advanced active and passive safety systems include Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control, Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), advanced front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags and new driver and front passenger knee airbags.
The new Hybrid will be powered by the third generation of the automaker's innovative two-motor hybrid technology, offering improved power delivery with no compromise to interior or cargo space and packaging.
The US Accord is built using both locally and globally sourced parts.
