Honda to make new SUV in Ohio

MARYSVILLE, Ohio (AP) _ Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. announced Tuesday that it will begin making a new Acura sport utility vehicle in 2006 in Ohio. <br/><br/>The automaker said the new vehicle will

Tuesday, September 7th 2004, 12:05 pm

By: News On 6

MARYSVILLE, Ohio (AP) _ Honda of America Manufacturing Inc. announced Tuesday that it will begin making a new Acura sport utility vehicle in 2006 in Ohio.

The automaker said the new vehicle will be smaller and cost less than the company's MDX SUV. Honda has not decided whether the it will be made at its Marysville auto plant or the one in East Liberty.

Honda spokesman Ed Miller said production of the vehicle is not expected to result in more jobs at Honda. But he said it will help provide job security as market demand changes.

``Being flexible in manufacturing means you can keep your operations viable so you can protect the jobs you have and those of your supplier companies,'' Miller said. ``In today's competitive auto business it's become mandatory to be able to produce multiple numbers of vehicles on the same assembly line.''

Currently, Honda makes the Accord, Civic, Element light truck and Acura TL models at its Ohio plants.

About 16,000 workers are employed in Ohio by Honda.