Honda of Canada Mfg. welcomed the Prime Minister of Canada to the award-winning Alliston plant and global lead plant for the all-new 2023 CR-V

Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM), a division of Honda Canada Inc., welcomed The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada to its Alliston manufacturing plant, home to the made-in-Canada Honda CR-V and Honda Civic. The visit showcased the massive effort undertaken since the 2022 investment announcement to upgrade Honda's manufacturing facilities, drive down greenhouse gas emissions and push further ahead on the company's path to electrification. The retooling of HCM production lines secured thousands of well-paying, high-quality jobs in Alliston and throughout Honda's extensive Canadian supplier network.

"Honda of Canada Manufacturing is a proud, Canadian innovation story," said Jean Marc Leclerc, President and CEO of Honda Canada. "But companies like ours face a huge amount of complexity as we evolve our business and transition to an electrified future. We've accomplished a great deal but we have more to do to have battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles represent 100 per cent of our North American vehicle sales by 2040."

Highlights of the 2022 investment announcement

One year ago, HCM announced its $1.38 billion investment over six years to upgrade its manufacturing plants with new and innovative technologies, processes, supply chain and vehicle research and development programs, including retooling and upgrading of equipment to manufacture the all-new 2023 CR-V. HCM also partnered with both the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, with each level of government providing equal and conditional grants of $131.6 million. The investment brought Honda's total Canadian facilities investments to more than $6.5 billion since 1986 when Honda became the first Japanese auto maker to build a Canadian manufacturing facility. HCM became the lead global plant for the all-new 2023 CR-V and North America lead plant for the CR-V Hybrid crossover. By taking the lead in developing the initial CR-V prototype,

HCM implemented new manufacturing technologies, upgraded the tooling processes in Alliston and established a revised suppliers' network. Hybrids will eventually represent about 50% of CR-V sales.

Jobs and outcomes

The retooling of production lines at HCM secured over 4,000 well-paying, high-quality jobs in Alliston and throughout Honda's extensive Canadian supplier network. The financial commitments saw a range of enhanced job training initiatives that include hybrid component assembly and battery handling, as well as research and development programs that further reduce environmental impacts of vehicle production. A sub-assembly line was created to accommodate the unique challenges of building batteries for hybrid powertrains.

The first hybrid vehicle built by Honda Canada rolled off the line this past November. The investments will have a lasting benefit for the Honda Canada dealer network, partnering suppliers, and the overall Canadian auto industry, including employees, their families, and the communities where they live and work.

Source: Honda Canada