Honda announced that it aims to “reimagine” its vehicle production approach in a new update of its plans for an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing network in Ohio.
Overhauling the Company’s Ohio Factories
The Japanese automaker announced plans nearly two years ago to establish an EV hub in the Buckeye State. One plan involves overhauling its Marysville factory to become Honda’s first U.S. plant to produce battery-electric cars.
The project also includes a new battery plant under a Honda joint venture with LG Energy Solution, the retooling of Honda’s plant in East Liberty, Ohio, and its engine factory in Anna, Ohio.
Reducing Complexity, Freeing up Space
In a recent update, Honda officials said the initiative would enable it to manufacture three different types of vehicle on the same production line: battery-electric, hybrid-electric, and internal-combustion engine cars.
The Marysville plant consolidated two lines into a single line that will eventually offer the flexibility to produce all three powertrains. The factory is also preparing to add a sub-assembly of Honda’s Intelligent Power Unit, which will power the company’s Ohio-assembled EVs.
Honda said the efforts will reduce complexity on the production line and alter the flow of some installation processes — reducing the amount of walking required of workers and freeing up more space for staging and delivery operations.
The Introduction of “Megacasting”
Meanwhile, the Anna engine factory is installing the first of six large die-cast machines that will produce the cases for the Intelligent Power Unit. Honda noted that the “megacasting” process — a technique pioneered by Tesla to cast one or several large vehicle parts rather than assembling many separate components — is new to the automaker.
The Marysville Plant’s Debut EV
The first EV to be produced at the Marysville plant will be based on an Acura concept EV that debuted at the recent Monterey Car Week in California. Production is scheduled to begin late next year.
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Image Credit: Shutterstock.com / Wongsakorn Napaeng
