Honda Cars : Honda transfers Ridgeline pickup between assembly lines at Alabama plant | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

Honda employees celebrate the transfer of the Ridgeline pickup at the Alabama factory in Lincoln.

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Ridgeline pickup was transferred to Line 1 at Honda's Alabama auto factory in Lincoln today, about two months after production on it was halted on Line 2 to prepare for move.

The transfer allows the automaker to continue to prepare Line 2 for the addition of the Acura MDX SUV, which will arrive next year.

Transferring models between assembly lines is significant, because it also requires the transfer of tooling and dies that are used to make that model. Employees also receive training on the model that is new to their line.

The move also demonstrates Honda's trademark manufacturing flexibility.

In the case of the Ridgeline at the Lincoln plant, the pickup had previously been built on Line 1, up until last year, when it was moved to increase production of the Odyssey minivan on Line 1. Now, it's back.

Along with the Ridgeline and Odyssey, Honda's 4,000 Alabama workers also build the Pilot SUV in Lincoln and the V-6 engines that power all of the vehicles. Ridgeline production started there in 2009, after it was transferred from Canada.

The Lincoln plant has been a busy place lately, as it is adding jobs, readjusting shifts and increasing production capacity.

Sales of the vehicles are rising.

Source;
http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2012/08/honda_transfers_ridgeline_pick.html

Honda Cars : Honda investing $97 million at Lincoln | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

TALLADEGA COUNTY — Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln is investing $97 million in its facility creating 20 new jobs.

The announcement of the investment came during the County Commission meeting Monday night. The commission approved a tax abatement for HMA for the investment.

Warren Mathews, an attorney from Burr & Foreman, a law firm that represents HMA, presented the request for tax abatement to the commission.

The overall project will consist of new investments that will increase current production capacity and support the transfer of the Acura MDX luxury sport utility vehicle to Alabama in 2013.

According to Mark Morrison, manager of HMA’s Corporate Affairs and Communication, at the conclusion of the project, and combined with the previous project HMA announced in March, HMA’s total capital investment in Lincoln will grow to more than $1.7 billion.

In another matter, Edward Jennings, a longtime resident of Hindman Lane in Talladega, paid another visit to the commission in regards to the immobility he believes the commission has taken with his previous concerns.

Source;
http://www.dailyhome.com/view/full_story/13187827/article-Honda-investing--97-million-at-Lincoln?instance=home_right

Honda Cars : Congratulations to Honda, and its associates | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

There were many lessons to be learned during the Great Recession that seems to be loosening its grip on the nation and our part of the world.

One lesson learned was that quality still pays off. Quality products sold at reasonable prices continue to be bought, even in tough times.

That, we believe, is one of the reasons the Honda plant in Lincoln ended 2010 with a stable work force that not only had jobs, but needed to work overtime to increase output of the vehicles built at the plant.

That’s a compliment to the company, of course, and to the men and women who work there, producing more than 270,000 vehicles in 2010. They build the popular Odyssey mini-van in Lincoln, the Pilot SUV, Ridgeline pickups and some Accord V-6 sedans.

Honda employs a flexible manufacturing system that allows management to adjust the mix of vehicles coming out the back door to meet the demand on their dealers’ lots. That means they are producing the cars, trucks, vans and SUVs the buying public wants.

So, congratulations to Honda. And to the 4,000 associates who work there, producing quality products that remain popular, even in difficult economic times.

We are fortunate to have Honda in our community. And Honda is fortunate to have developed a workforce of Alabamians whose work ethic and attention to detail pays off in more sales.

Source;
http://www.dailyhome.com/view/full_story/10858268/article-Congratulations-to-Honda--and-its-associates?instance=home_opinion

Honda Cars : 2 millionth Alabama-built Honda rolls off assembly line | 2013 New Honda Car Reviews 0

From left, Honda associates David Lyner, Doris Ashworth, Robert Dunham, Sandy Miller, Michael Tuggle and Michael Jones celebrate the production of the two millionth vehicle at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama.

Associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama LLC (HMA) on September 3 reached a production milestone at 8:28 a.m. with the completion of the 2 millionth Honda vehicle and V-6 engine built in Alabama.

The Taffeta White 2011 Pilot EXL Touring, was driven off the line by HMA associate Sandy Miller of Oxford, Ala. Passengers in the vehicle included Honda associates: Robert Dunham, Goodwater; Michael Jones, Trussville; David Lyner, Oxford; Doris Ashworth, Goodwater; and Michael Tuggle, Gardendale.

The roll-off of HMA's 2 millionth vehicle comes less than nine years after the start of mass production at the $1.4 billion facility on November 14, 2001.

"The commitment and dedication of each associate has allowed HMA to quickly reach this production milestone and meet the needs of a record number of customers," said Nobu Sanui, HMA president and CEO. "In October of 2006, we celebrated building the one millionth HMA Honda. And today, less than four years later, we have built our two millionth Honda in 'Sweet Home Alabama.'"

HMA is the sole North American production source of the Pilot sport utility vehicle, the Odyssey minivan, the Ridgeline pickup and the V-6 engines that power each vehicle. HMA also shares production of the Accord V6 Sedan with the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio.

On August 31, 2010, HMA began production of the all-new 2011 Odyssey minivan, which is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in late September. HMA employs more than 4,000 associates at its 3.5-million-square-foot Lincoln facility and has the capacity to produce as many as 300,000 vehicles and engines each year.

Source;
http://www.reliableplant.com/Read/26381/Alabama-built-Honda-assembly