Honda Engine Plant in Ohio Produces 30-Millionth Engine as It Prepares for Electrified Future

• 30-millionth engine is an Atkinson-cycle engine that is part of the two-motor hybrid-electric system powering Honda Accord and CR-V hybrid vehicles
• After nearly four decades of engine production, Anna Engine Plant is preparing for electrification
• The plant is part of $700 million investment to retool multiple Honda manufacturing facilities to create a Honda EV Hub in Ohio

Honda celebrated production of the 30 millionth engine built by associates at the company’s Anna Engine Plant in Ohio with the production* of the newly refined 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, which is part of the two-motor hybrid-electric system that powers Honda Accord and CR-V hybrid-electric models. The Anna plant, Honda’s largest engine plant in the world, is now preparing to retool to add production of the casings for the battery modules that will power Honda and Acura EVs made in Ohio.

Since starting engine production in 1985, the Anna facility has produced a diverse array of powertrain and other components, ranging from motorcycle and automobile engines to transmissions, suspensions and wheels. The 2.0-liter hybrid Atkinson-cycle engine represents the continued evolution of the plant’s capabilities and an important step in Honda’s electrification strategy, as nearly 60% of U.S. sales of the popular Honda Accord and CR-V are powered by the two-motor hybrid-electric system.

“The greatest strength of the Anna Engine Plant is our team of experienced and dedicated Honda associates, who have been instrumental in our ability to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our customers,” said Michael Tinch, plant leader of the Anna Engine Plant. “For nearly four decades, our associates have taken on new responsibilities and powertrain components, and I’m confident they’ll again rise to the challenge as we enter the exciting era of battery-electric vehicles.”

The Anna plant will continue to play a vital role in Honda’s future electrification plans as more hybrid-electric systems are introduced to core models to reduce CO₂ emissions and bridge customers to the volume battery-electric Honda and Acura vehicles in development.

In October 2022, Honda announced a $700 million investment in Ohio to establish a new Honda EV Hub in Ohio, which includes retooling the Anna Engine Plant, the East Liberty Auto Plant, and Marysville Auto Plant, as Honda prepares for the production of battery electric vehicles.  While Honda initially indicated production would start in 2026, in April, Honda announced that it will pull forward EV production in Ohio to 2025. Importantly, Honda expects to maintain employment stability across all locations during this transition.

As part of the new EV Hub, the Anna Engine Plant will produce the cases for the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) that houses the EV battery module and its controlling hardware. Honda and LG Energy Solution (LGES) recently broke ground for a new joint venture battery facility in Ohio that will produce these lithium-ion batteries, which will power the EVs to be produced at the East Liberty and Marysville Auto Plants. Honda and LGES have committed to invest $3.5 billion in the new JV battery facility, with the overall investment projected to reach $4.4 billion.

The 2.9 million sq. ft. Anna Engine Plant reflects previous Honda capital investments totaling $2.9 billion and employs 2,900 Honda associates who build V6 and inline 4-cylinder engines, including 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0-liter turbo engines, the 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle hybrid engine and various engine components for Honda plants in the U.S. and throughout the world. The Anna Engine Plant has a total annual production capacity of 1.18 million engines.

Honda Manufacturing in Ohio
Honda has produced automobiles in Ohio for over 40 years, beginning in November 1982 with the start of automobile production at the Marysville Auto Plant.

Honda established U.S. manufacturing operations in Marysville in 1979 with the start of motorcycle production. Today, Honda employs more than 15,000 associates in Ohio across five plants with total capital investment of $14.5 billion and the capacity to produce 680,000 Honda and Acura automobiles, 1.18 million automobile engines, and over 1 million automobile transmissions and two-motor hybrid systems, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

Honda’s five Ohio manufacturing facilities include three auto plants, the Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant and Performance Manufacturing Center, as well as the Anna Engine Plant and Russells Point transmission plant. The company has invested $2.7 billion in these facilities over the past six years, continually modernizing equipment and adopting new technologies to advance quality and efficiency for Honda and Acura customers here and around the world. In 2022, Honda announced its commitment to invest $700 million to retool several existing auto and powertrain plants in Ohio for production of electric vehicles, which will serve as Honda’s new EV Hub for the start of EV production in the U.S.

Source – Honda