Honda associates celebrated their 30th anniversary on Thursday at Honda Transmission Plant-Ohio (TMP-O) in Russells Point, Ohio, honoring an incredible legacy of flexible manufacturing.
Since production began in 1996, the plant has produced the award-winning two-motor hybrid system that helps power Honda hybrid-electric vehicles, continuously variable transmissions (CVT) differentials for Honda and Acura all-wheel drive vehicles, and other key components.
With a total investment of more than $1 billion, the 1.1-million square-foot Ohio transmission plant employs more than 1,200 associates, with the annual capacity to produce more than 1 million transmissions and gear shifts, 500,000 two-motor hybrid systems, along with transfer cases and differentials for four-wheel drive vehicles.
“For thirty years Honda associates at Russells Point have produced an incredible 26 million transmissions that have helped to power the future,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Congratulations on achieving this incredible milestone.”
Honda began U.S. production of transmissions at its Anna Engine Plant (AEP) in Ohio in 1989. In 1996, transmission manufacturing was relocated to Russells Point to a wholly owned Honda supplier, Bellemar Parts Industries, which was incorporated as Honda Transmission Manufacturing of America the following year.
“As we celebrate 30 years of Honda manufacturing excellence in Ohio, we’re not just reflecting on our history; we’re accelerating toward the future,” said Jason Foster, Power Unit Manufacturing Plant lead. “The unyielding continued commitment of TMP-O associates to producing top-quality drivetrains will allow us to continue building on the legacy we celebrate today,”
30 Years of Flexible Production
The original transmission product lineup at TMP-O 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 transmissions built at TMP-O include a continuously variable (CVT) pulley-driven transmission and the award-winning two-motor hybrid system (HEV) transmission that is available in the Honda CR-V, Accord and Civic and is standard in the Prelude. The product line has evolved into several globally-exclusive specifications, making TMP-O one of Honda’s global leaders in total drivetrain manufacturing.
“For 30 years, TMP-O has stood at the center of Honda’s progress – driving innovation and demonstrating the power of passion and craftsmanship,” said Kylie Huber, TMP-O Manufacturing Division lead. “As the industry has evolved, both Honda Transmission Plant-Ohio and our associates have evolved with it, meeting every challenge. The legacy our associates have built over three decades is extraordinary, and it’s the reason this 30th anniversary milestone carries such deep meaning!”
Sustainability Impact at TMP-O
TMP-O and its associates have a long legacy of environmental stewardship that continues to this day.
In 2014, the Ohio facility became the first major auto manufacturing plant in the country to derive a substantial amount of its electricity directly from wind turbines located on its property.
In 2019, TMP-O earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR Certificate for Outstanding Energy Efficiency, becoming the first U.S. automotive transmission plant to earn this recognition.
Most recently, associates initiated a project that installed furnace covers that prevent heat loss and save energy – and in 2025 these covers prevented the release of 164 metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Honda Manufacturing in Ohio
Honda has produced automobiles in Ohio for over 40 years, beginning in November 1982, with the start of automobile production at the Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), and today is the largest manufacturing employer in the state.
Honda established U.S. manufacturing operations in Marysville in 1979 with the start of motorcycle production.
Today, around 15,400 associates support Honda manufacturing in Ohio, representing a total capital investment of $14.5 billion and the capacity to produce 460,000 Honda and Acura automobiles, 1.18 million automobile engines, and over 1 million automobile transmissions, as well as two-motor hybrid systems, using domestic and globally made parts.
The company’s five Ohio manufacturing facilities include three auto plants, the Marysville Auto Plant, East Liberty Auto Plant and Performance Manufacturing Center, as well as the Anna Engine Plant and transmission plant in Russells Point.
The company has invested more than $1.3 billion in these facilities over the past five years, continually modernizing equipment and adopting new technologies to advance quality and efficiency for Honda and Acura customers here and around the world.
Honda now has the flexibility to produce gas-powered, hybrid, and battery-electric vehicles on the same line in its Ohio auto plants.
