Honda's Ohio Transmission Plant

"The Power of Dreams." This is the foundation on which Soichiro Honda established the Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in 1949. The American Honda Motor Co. was established just 10 years later and in 1977, the company arrived in Ohio. A friendship between Mr. Honda and then Ohio Governor James Rhodes led to construction of a Honda manufacturing facility - the first of many in our area.

This year, one of those facilities - Honda’s Ohio Transmission Plant - is celebrating 25 years in operation. Since starting transmission production in 1996, the Ohio Transmission Plant has steadily expanded the scope of its operations and products to keep pace with Honda's growing lineup of passenger cars and light trucks. With a total investment of more than $1 billion, the 1.1-million square-foot Ohio transmission plant produces more than 850,000 transmissions per year as well as gear sets and transfer cases and differentials for four-wheel drive vehicles.

The Ohio Transmission Plant's product line-up started with production of 4-speed automatic transmissions (4AT) in 1996, followed by 5-speed automatic transmissions (5AT) in 2005 and 6-speed automatic transmissions in 2010. Today's transmission types include a continuous variable (CVT) pulley driven transmission and a two-motor hybrid system (HEV) for the Accord Hybrid, CR-V Hybrid and Insight Hybrid sedan. The plant also makes a P2 Planetary Gear Assembly that is used in every gear setting in the 10AT produced in Georgia.

---

Although "Transmission Plant" is in the facility name, the product line is not limited to only transmissions and transmission components. In 2005, the plant began producing 4WD rear differentials and transfer assemblies as well as gear components. The product line has evolved to several globally exclusive specifications making the Ohio location one of Honda’s leaders in global drivetrain manufacturing.

The facility has also earned its share of recognition in the renewable energy field. In 2014, Honda's Ohio Transmission Plant became the first major automotive manufacturing plant in the United States to derive a substantial amount of its electricity directly from wind turbines located on its property. The plant was recently recognized with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR Certificate for Outstanding Energy Efficiency and became the first U.S. automotive transmission plant to earn this recognition.

Though you can find Honda products on all 7 continents (yes, even Antarctica), the company believes in supporting local communities like those in Logan County. Honda is committed to making positive contributions to the communities where they live and do business; to socially responsible business practices; and to the promotion of diversity in their workforce and supply chain.

"We are thrilled to join with Honda in celebrating 25 years of manufacturing and community leadership at the Russells Point Transmission Plant," shared Ben Vollrath, Chamber President. "As an innovative and growing plant employing over 1,100 associates, it can't be overstated the positive impact this facility has made on Logan County."

Please join us in congratulating Honda's Ohio Transmission Plant for its 25th anniversary and for being named our Business of the Month for August 2021!