Posted on 08/03/2009 7:29:34 AM PDT by BraveMan
We knew the day would come when the final Gold Wing motorcycle would be built in America after Honda announced last year that it would eventually close its motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio. Apparently, that time is now, as Honda has confirmed that the Gold Wing assembly line has halted. Moving forward, all Gold Wings – along with just about every other two-wheeler from Honda – will be imported from Japan.
Finished in 1979, the 330,000 square-foot Marysville Motorcycle Plant that has assembled the Gold Wing since 1981 was the first Honda manufacturing facility in America. Since then, over a million Honda Gold Wing motorcycles have made their way down the assembly line and four additional assembly plants have been erected in Ohio producing cars, SUVs, engines and transmissions.
While we're sure it makes sound financial sense to close the Marysville Motorcycle Plant, it strikes us as odd timing to shutter its first U.S. manufacturing site given that Honda is right in the midst of celebrating its first 50 years in America. Conversely, Honda plans to further expand its automotive manufacturing footprint in the U.S. Currently, about 76 percent of all Honda vehicles sold in the United States are produced in North America. Unfortunately, we can now strike the Gold Wing off that list.
One for the Hooligans . . .
I guess the stimulus isn’t going too well. At least not for real jobs. Where people make real things.
Honda Gold Wing in 2007 had 97% American sourced content.
Harley Davidson in 2007 had 94% American sourced content.
I found this information in Motorcycle Dealer new last summer.
Interesting.
Oops
Motorcycle Dealer NEWS
...because your driver’s license has been suspended?
One of my friends bought a big Honda several years ago and was really proud of it. When I mentioned what I had seen in Tulsa he became downcast in the mouth and was never happy till he traded off his Honda for a Harley.
Lots of the people where I used to work bought Harleys during their midlife crisis. I just kept my old pickup. I want four wheels under me.
Reminds me of the old Mustang we had as kids. Wish I had it now.
Well, there goes the best cafeteria on the Honda Marysville campus.
You say that as if riding a geezer-glide road sofa is a bad thing. I rather enjoy riding my rolling Barcalounger. It’s much easier to lay down a trail of sparks . . .
Best of all, no Lucas (also known as the "Prince of Darkness") electrics.
Every time one of these stories about lost profits and downsizing are published, the market jumps another 3-5%. It’s amazing.
Hell yeah.
Saw a buddy's GL1800 smoke some rice rocket out of the gate one night.
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