Honda is making critical progress in the establishment of the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, which will serve as a roadmap for production of electric vehicles in North America.
As Honda works toward the start of EV production in late 2025, retooling efforts are well underway, including preparation for vehicle production and in-house assembly of the Intelligent Power Unit (IPU), which houses the EV battery and serves as part of the vehicle platform. Based on its goal to achieve carbon neutrality, Honda is targeting 100% zero emissions vehicle sales by 2040.
Honda expects to hire 300 associates at its Ohio EV Hub, while 300 associates at the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP) will upskill for IPU assembly. The Japanese automaker has committed to investing at least $700 million to transform its Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) and Anna Engine Plant (AEP) to lead the start of EV production in North America.
Beyond the production of EVs at MAP and ELP, the EV Hub is where Honda associates will develop the knowledge and expertise in EV production that will be shared across Honda’s North American auto production network in the coming years. The EV Hub will set the standard for Honda production of electric vehicles in North America and globally.
“The establishment of our EV Hub is not simply an investment in retooling and equipment, we are investing in the Honda associates who will be taking on new responsibilities to lead us into the electrified future,” said Bob Nelson, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Our EV Hub in Ohio is playing an essential and strategic role for the evolution of EV production at Honda, in North America and globally.”
Honda will have the flexibility to produce both internal combustion engine (ICE) and EVs on the same line at MAP, its first auto production facility in America, giving the company a strategic advantage to quickly respond to shifting market demand while also demonstrating the ingenuity and experience of its associates to design a uniquely flexible assembly line. The associate-friendly improvements to MAP incorporate direct feedback from associates through focused discussions and valuable input from the Honda Associate Voice program.
“As we prepare for the electrified future, we continue to embrace ‘The Honda Way,’ which emphasizes teamwork, respect and open communication,” said Nelson. “These are the values that have helped us successfully grow our business in America over the last 45 years and will power us into the future.”
The updates to Honda’s EV Hub come as Honda and Acura prepare for the introduction of its first all-electric SUVs in the North American market, the Honda Prologue and the Acura ZDX.
The IPU cases produced at AEP will be supplied to MAP, where associates will install the battery modules produced at the new joint venture battery facility, which will power the EVs to be produced at MAP and ELP.
Honda Electrification Strategy
While Honda will begin EV production at the EV Hub in Ohio, based on the company’s vision to make battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100% of its vehicle sales by 2040, each Honda auto production facility in North America will have a critical role to play in Honda’s electrified future.
It is the role of the Honda EV Hub in Ohio to establish the expertise and experience for EV production that will be shared across the Honda production network in North America. Importantly, Honda expects to maintain employment stability across all locations during these key next steps in the transition to the electrified future.
Moreover, even as Honda accelerates preparation for EV production, the company plans to sustain current ICE and hybrid-electric vehicle production in order to meet continued strong customer demand. The sustained success of ICE and hybrid-electric vehicle sales also will support the required investment in the electrified future.
