Honda's East Liberty, Ohio plant has started of mass production of the redesigned 2019 Acura RDX, the first in a new generation of models.
The new RDX is a clean sheet redesign of the top-selling five-passenger luxury SUV, into build after a spend of US$54m on new technology and processes at the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP).
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New technologies include a new roller hemming process for the ultra-wide panoramic moonroof and the use of high-performance structural adhesives for enhanced body rigidity – both manufacturing firsts for a mass-produced Acura model. A new multi-layer paint system highlights the introduction of new brand-exclusive premium exterior colour options.
"This new RDX defines the future of Acura, and our Ohio team did an incredible job preparing this first in a new generation of Acura vehicles for our customers," said plant manager Jim Hefner, plant manager at the East Liberty Auto Plant.
The RDX takes is powered by a direct-injected and turbocharged 2.0-litre, VTEC Turbo engine produced at the nearby Anna, Ohio engine plant. The engine is mated to a segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission manufactured at the company's Tallapoosa, Georgia transmission plant.
Though manufactured in the US for the past 12 years and over three generations, the 2019 model is the first RDX to be designed and developed in America. Styling design was conducted by the Acura Design Studio in Los Angeles, California, with development undertaken by the company's North American R&D team in Raymond, Ohio. The RDX has been completely reengineered on a new, brand-exclusive platform and showcases the next-generation design direction.
Five of the six models in the Acura lineup are made exclusively in central Ohio, including the ILX and TLX luxury sports sedans (Marysville Auto Plant), the RDX and MDX luxury SUVs (East Liberty Auto Plant) and the Acura NSX supercar, which is built to order at the Performance Manufacturing Centre in Marysville, Ohio.
