Nikkei reported Honda was in final preparations for an Ohio hybrid-vehicle plant costing 300 billion to 400 billion yen ($1.90 billion to $2.53 billion), with production expected in 2030. Honda’s US spokesman said no decisions had been made at this stage about a US plant.
Honda Executive Vice President Noriya Kaihara said the automaker is nearing full production capacity in North America and needs another factory. He said Honda may change direction if there is no future USMCA agreement and needs to decide within a year or two. The United States is negotiating with Canada and Mexico over the trade pact.
Honda has indefinitely suspended an $11 billion project to build electric vehicles and batteries in Canada and canceled three EVs planned for the US market. Last year, it said production of its US-bound five-door Civic hybrid would shift from Japan to Indiana.
