The first all-new, Alabama-built 2009 Honda Pilot rolled off the assembly line yesterday.
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“Today we mark a significant milestone — the launch of an all-new Pilot built by one team, with one goal and built only in sweet home Alabama,” said Hiroshi Sasamoto, president and CEO of Honda’s Alabama (HMA) operations.
“I salute the accomplishments of all HMA associates and your commitment to building products of the highest quality for our customers.”
A brief celebration at the end of the assembly line marked the start of mass production of new Pilot. HMA is the exclusive global production source of both the Pilot and the Odyssey minivan. The Lincoln plant also produces the V-6 engines for each vehicle. Early next year, HMA will add a third model to its production lineup — the Ridgeline pickup truck.
HMA builds the Odyssey minivan on both Line 1 and Line 2, while Pilot sport utility vehicle is built only on Line 2 at the US$1.4bn Lincoln facility. Annual production capacity is 300,000 vehicles and V-6 engines. The all-new Pilot is set to arrive at Honda dealers nationwide in the US on May 22.
