Honda associates today celebrated the 40th anniversary of the historic start of production at Honda of America Mfg., Inc. in Marysville, Ohio, in 1979, when the first 64 associates began producing the Elsinore CR 250 motorcycle, which began the rapid growth of Honda in America.

After Honda became the first Japanese automaker to build products in the U.S., automobile production quickly followed on Nov. 1, 1982, at the adjacent Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio. Honda now has five U.S. auto plants and in 2018, nearly two-thirds of all Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were made in America. With 12 major plants in the U.S., Honda also produces engines and transmissions, ATVs and side-by-side vehicles, a variety of power equipment products and the HondaJet in America.

Moreover, Honda's initial $35 million investment in the Marysville Motorcycle Plant has grown to more than $11 billion in Ohio, and an investment of over $21 billion in Honda's U.S. operations. Honda now employs more than 25,000 associates at its 12 plants in America. Honda also has steadily increased its local purchasing of parts and materials with more than 600 original equipment suppliers in America and cumulative parts purchases of over $440 billion.