We're sure you're aware of Honda's origin in Japan. However, the auto brand hasn't expanded its manufacturing in its motherland since 1964. Almost half a century later, Honda is going back to its roots and opening a plant in the carefully selected Japanese city of Yorii.
Located about two hours north of the major metropolitan, Tokyo, Yorii will definitely benefit economically from this move-- but what specifically attracted Honda to build such a momentous facility here?
Financial reasons had previously kept Honda from manufacturing in Japan but are now bringing them back. Like many other Japanese automakers, Honda took their production facilities overseas to guard against a dwindling population, an increased value of the yen, and repercussions of the 2011 tsunami.
Now with the yen's worth decreasing and the optimistic future of Japan's economy, Honda is finding the area to be a financially-friendly place to continue growing their production.
The facility doesn't just benefit Honda either. With the new factory comes new jobs… and lots of them. The plant will create roughly 3,800 jobs both on-site and at suppliers. In turn, this will give the local economy a much-needed boost.
The grand opening is expected for July and then the up-and-running factory will start producing around 250,000 new Honda vehicles each year. Though we aren't sure which models will be born in the Yorii plant, the Piedmont Honda crew is betting on the Fit, seeing as it is a best-seller in Japan.
However, we do know that you won't be seeing any of the Yorii-produced vehicles here at 4011 Clemson Boulevard in Anderson, South Carolina. Future versions of the Fit we offer will be built right here in North America.
If you're pleased to see Honda expanding its manufacturing within its homeland again, you're not alone. We can't wait to see what innovative technologies will come out of the new Japanese plant. After all, a change at one plant could change the automaker's global production operations for the better. If you too are interested in the latest Honda news, be sure to bookmark our blog and check back!
