Honda has announced that the 2014 Honda Accord hybrid sedan will be built in the US at its Marysville, Ohio plant.
In addition to the new 2014 Accord plug-in hybrid, Honda is also going to release a standard Accord hybrid that will arrive this fall. Honda has announced plans to invest $23 million and hire approximately 50 new associates at its Marysville, Ohio auto plant to add production of the new two-motor Accord hybrid sedan. This will be the third hybrid model built by Honda in America and the first in Ohio. Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC in Greensburg, Indiana was the first Honda plant in North America to build a hybrid vehicle, and currently produces both the Civic Hybrid and Acura ILX Hybrid models.
The Marysville Auto Plant is undergoing an expansion of 95,000-square-feet to house assembly processes and logistics specifically for production of the Accord Hybrid. The project includes lengthening the main assembly line to accommodate the unique hybrid production processes, and adding space for related parts receiving and sub-assembly operations. The project also will increase overall efficiency of the plant’s parts logistics operations.
“With more than 30 years of continuously building eight generations of the Honda Accord close to our customers, our team now is using its experience and flexibility to add this sophisticated Accord Hybrid model,” said Jeff Tomko, plant manager of the Marysville Auto Plant. “At the same time, we are continuing with our commitment to manufacture new models in Ohio, along with the resulting growth in jobs.”
Honda hasn’t unveiled the 2014 Accord hybrid, but has confirmed that it will be powered by the same two-motor hybrid system as the Accord plug-in hybrid. That means it will be powered by a 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine with a 124-kilowatt (KW) traction electric motor that can function as an electric continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) and a 105-KW electric motor for power generation. Honda expects the he Accord Hybrid to be rated at 49/45/47 mpg (city/hwy/combined).
(Honda has yet to unveil the styling of the 2014 Accord Hybrid)
