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Posted on 02/27/2008 12:58:58 PM PST by martin_fierro
Honda to discontinue production at Marysville motorcycle plant in 2009
By Elaine Morris Roberts
Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
SPRINGFIELD — Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. announced this morning, Feb. 27, that it will discontinue production at its Marysville motorcycle plant in the Spring of 2009.
The 450 associates at the plant will not lose their jobs, instead they will be transferred to other positions within the company's Ohio production network, according to a release issued by the company.
In Ohio, the company produces vehicles and component parts including the Honda Accord sedan and coupe, natural-gas powered Civic GX, engines and transmissions.
All motorcycle production will be consolidated at a new facility set to open in 2009 in Kumamoto, Japan.
"This move allows us to improve the competitiveness and appeal of our products," said Akio Hamada, president and chief executive officer of Honda of America.
The Marysville motorcycle plant, opened in 1979, was Honda's first U.S. production facility and became the springboard for the company's expanded production into the automobile market.
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That sucks. I enjoyed going there for Honda Homecoming.
Can’t wait til it warms up enough to ride here...supposed to reach 50’s this weekend...I hope.
What is causing Honda to go back to the pre-1979 way of manufacturing these motorcycles (Gold Wings to begin with, if memory serves) in Japan for export, and quit building them right in the middle of their biggest market? What am I missing here?
Come to think of it, I haven't seen too many Gold Wings lately but, is the entire Honda line hurting?
I’ve been to the Homecoming a few times and it was always a good time. This is a sad day for sure.
IMHO, there are two reasons:
1. Taxes and government regulations.
2. Takeover by our new socialist government, no matter who wins the election.
It’s gonna be a bitch riding to Kumamoto, Japan.......
I read somewhere that Honda North America sales were down 18% last year.
I’m trying to get some solid motorcycle sales figures over the last couple of years...Anybody have any ideas where to look?
From whence they came. Better than Mexico or China.
What are they doing? financing 0% down, on an ARM for 30 years? Guess it’s time bail out the crotch rocket riders.
Here’s my $0.02 on why they’re moving back:
1. Intent to focus on more profitable automobiles.
2. Increased taxes and regulations.
3. Increasing age of plant and quality issues (e.g. frame welds and cooling issues on Goldwings).
4. New facilities in Japan and desire for more direct control of manufacturing.
From: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aTkvPNopsvbg&refer=us
The Goldwing has gone downhill for some time. Now that a Goldwing costs more than an Electra-Glide or most big beemers, they are having a hard time competing. I see many more big beemers here now than Goldwings. That wasn't true 5 years ago.
I noticed the same thing at Americade last summer. Fewer Goldwings and more beemers and Harleys. I bought a V-Strom and put Givi bags on it. Total for a 1 liter touring bike, $8,000.
Soichiro is rolling in his grave.
Looks like Honda’s motorcycle division is managed by the car guys now. Really dumb decisions and a lack of new models. Even when a new model comes out it’s overweight.... the +700lb ST1300 ‘sport tourer’ for example. Add Honda’s overpricing and it’s obvious that Honda is running on brand loyalty. How long that will last is anyone’s guess.
I’ve bought my last Honda. My old GL1100 is still soldiering along.... the last of the real touring Honda motorcycles vs the current 6 cylinder gunboats. It won’t be replaced by any Honda. I’m giving the finger right back to that arrogant HMC.
I’m STILL pumping mass amounts of Time & Money into my KLR. I love that bike so! Hot Shame on me.
Iron Mountain Road is truly something to behold!
I rode in 23 degree weather last night. Only had to ride a mile, though, from work to home.
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