Marcus De Guzman / Honda | September 20, 2017 09:45
Honda's Marysville Auto Plant to add 300 new jobs, get new tech to produce 2018 Accord
Production of the latest generation Honda Accord has officially begun after the automaker recently invested $267 million at the company's Marysville Auto Plant (MAP) in Ohio. With it, Honda claimed that this will add 300 new jobs to support the production of the all-new Accord and increase the plant's output.
The total investment includes $220 million worth of new technologies and processes. Part of the new investments include a new lazer brazing process for the Accord's roof, as well as stamping techniques that will make the sedan's contoured body.
Also included are the 342 state-of-the-art welding robots worth $165 million. On top of that, Honda also invested $47 million at the nearby Anna, Ohio engine plant which will produce the Accord's 1.5- and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines.
Beyond that, the 2018 Accord will also be the first new model that will make use of the brand's latest high-performance structural adhesives. According to the automaker, this will deliver better body rigidity along with a quieter cabin.
“The new jobs and production growth will enable us to meet anticipated strong demand for the new Honda Accord. Re-imagining the new Accord and bringing it to life took an incredible effort by our project team and our associates. The privilege of producing America's best-selling car for the last 41 years is a significant point of pride for our associates,” said Rob May, MAP plant manager.
In review, the tenth-generation Honda Accord gets a major redesign inside and out and is now powered by turbocharged VTEC engines. The front fascia now gets Honda's familiar Solid Wing Face design while the side profile has a couple-like profile which is reminiscent of the tenth-generation Civic. C-shaped taillights dominate the rear which departs from the flowning horizontal design of the outgoing model.
As mentioned earlier, the all-new Accord will only be available with downsized turbocharged VTEC engines. First up is the 1.5-liter i-VTEC turbo which is also available in the Civic RS. It puts out 192 PS and 260 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the bigger 2.0-liter i-VTEC turbo replaces the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6. Essentially a detuned version of the Civic Type R's engine, it generates 252 PS and 370 Nm of torque.
The former is available with either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or six-speed manual while the latter can be mated to a ten-speed automatic or six-speed manual.
Deliveries of the 2018 Accord in the US will begin in late 2017. There is no word yet as to when ASEAN will receive the new-generation Acord.
