The Maryville, Ohio plant was built on farmland, and began chugging out Honda Accords. At that time, competition was intense between foreign and American car-makers, and skeptics wondered if the plant would survive.
But now Honda’s presence in Ohio has only grown. More than 9 million Accords later, Honda currently employs more than 13,000 workers here, and has six production and service sites in the state.
Honda spokesman Ron Lietzke says the company has also just announced a major investment in its engine plant in Anna, Ohio. The facility makes specialized transmissions for the new 2013 Accord model.
“And in addition, we announced that the plant will add another engine assembly line," says Lietzke. "And the total investment for that is about $170 million for that production. And it’ll add about 200 jobs.”
Lietzke adds another $30 million is going into its Russells Point plant that makes transmissions.
Meanwhile, other foreign auto-makers have set up shop in the U.S. since Honda's arrival, including Nissan and Toyota.