Promises for more expansion Honda President visits from Japan
by Wendy Soloduik

The president and chief executive officer of Honda Motor Company Inc., Takeo Fukui, paid a visit to Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston last week in celebration of the plant's 20th anniversary in Canada.

The visit also marked the launch of the new 2007 Acura MDX luxury sport-utility vehicle, which will be manufactured at Honda Plant One, sharing the facility with the two, and four door Civics currently being manufactured there.

Honda's celebrations also highlighted the production of their four millionth vehicle, manufactured at Honda of Canada Mfg. The red 2006 Honda Civic sedan rolled off the assembly line on August fourth.

"Our future focuses on new products, including the 2007 Acura MDX, that sets new benchmarks in quality, design and engineering," said Mr. Fukui. "Our future products and business decisions as demonstrated through our commitment to build a new engine plant here in Alliston allow us to create new value for our customers and for the local community in Canada.

"Today is a new day that holds new promise," Mr. Fukui added. "Together, let's make new dreams become a reality and in this way, ensure that Honda is a company that Canadians want to exist."

During the celebrations, an associate drove out in the first vehicle produced in Alliston, a 1986 Honda Accord. The plant switched to producing the Honda Civic (rated number one best seller for nine years and counting) just two years later, a model that they continue to produce.

Honda added the Odyssey minivan to their production line-up in 1988, and has contributed more than $2.15 billion into Canada's economy since their inception.

"At Honda, the power of dreams is about having both a dream and the determination to turn it into reality," said Mr. Fukui. "In 1986, we became the first Japanese company to invest in a manufacturing facility in Canada. That was our dream. Today this facility has become a very important operation for Honda."

"On behalf of Canada's new government, I am proud to congratulate and thank Honda and its 4,300 associates for 20 years of tremendous quality and commitment to Canada," said the Hon. Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry. "There are so many accomplishments to celebrate; the 20th anniversary, four million vehicles produced, production of the new redesigned Acura MDX, and the new engine plant coming online in 2008. They are all a testament to the commitment to excellence by everyone at the Alliston plant. Honda's ongoing investment in Canada and in Alliston are a strong vote of confidence in Canada and Canadian workers."

Many special guests were on-hand for the celebrations last Wednesday, including: the ambassador of Japan, the counsel general of Japan, the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the mayor, the president and CEO of Honda Motor Company, the president of Honda of Canada Mfg., the executive vice president of Honda of Canada and the senior vice president of Honda of Canada Mfg.

During his address, Mayor Mike MacEachern, focused on Honda's role in the continued economic growth of our area. MacEachern compared Honda's modern day presence to the role once occupied by the train. He went on to present Fukui with framed prints of our local train stations, which had been digitally remastered by Maverick Studios in Tottenham. Fukui said privately that he would be taking the prints home with him to Japan.

During a Q & A after the ceremony, The Scope asked Fukui about his intentions for the 250 acres of land that Honda recently purchased, adjacent to Plant One. He had this to say: "We will start with the engine plant, scheduled for opening in 2008. Eventually, we will also build a transmission plant as well. We will also use the land for additional parking for our completed vehicles, as space is limited at our current facility. Then if we need additional room for expansion in the future, we'll already have the space to grow."

Thanks to a favourable climate between the Japanese and Canadian governments, Honda's foothold in the Canadian economy has become stronger. It seems that Honda will continues to invest in the North American market, with focus on manufacturing right here in our own backyard.

'Today is a new day, that holds new promise," Mr. Fukui finishes. "Let's make new dreams, that become a reality."