Honda has provided a first look at its cutting-edge electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing strategy, set to take shape at the newly established Honda EV Hub in Ohio by late 2025. This hub will enable the company to produce internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid-electric, and fully battery-electric vehicles (EVs) on the same production lines, a major shift that highlights Honda’s commitment to flexibility, sustainability, and the future of mobility.
As part of a $1 billion investment to retool its Marysville Auto Plant (MAP), East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP), and Anna Engine Plant (AEP), Honda is reimagining its production process with a focus on environmental responsibility, efficiency, and worker-friendly practices. The investment will equip these facilities to handle the production of multiple vehicle types alongside cutting-edge EV technology.
“Honda’s approach is all about adaptability,” said Bob Schwyn, Senior Vice President of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC. “The Honda EV Hub provides us with the flexibility to produce a wide range of vehicles while maintaining a sustainable and human-friendly manufacturing environment.”
The Honda EV Hub will be home to the first EV production at Honda’s Ohio facilities, starting with the Acura RSX EV, followed by other models from the Honda 0 Series, which were introduced at CES 2025 in Las Vegas. The vehicles will be powered by the ASIMO OS, an innovative operating system paying homage to Honda’s legacy of robotics, including the ASIMO robot.
In addition to the big announcement, Tim Stroh, Senior Program Manager of Production Engineering and Battery Case Project Leader at the Anna Engine Plant (AEP), gave the media an exclusive tour of the Marysville Auto Plant. During the tour, Stroh explained the retooling efforts that are transforming the facility. The plant’s overhaul includes significant changes to its production lines to allow the efficient manufacture of electric vehicles alongside traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid models. This effort is part of Honda’s larger commitment to flexible manufacturing and sustainability.
“We’re not just retooling for electric vehicles,” Stroh explained. “We are fundamentally rethinking how we approach production. The new layout is designed to be more human-friendly, with updated workspaces and processes that improve safety and efficiency. The addition of electric vehicle production capabilities requires not only new machinery but also a re-imagining of how we work together on the assembly line.”
Stroh, who has been with Honda since 2003, has played a key role in this transition. He leads efforts at AEP, where the company is ramping up mass production of EV battery cases for future models. “It’s an exciting time for us,” Stroh said. “We’re building on decades of manufacturing expertise while embracing the future of the auto industry with EVs. These updates will not only help us meet growing consumer demand but also ensure that we do so with the highest level of sustainability.”
Stroh talks about the impact on the company and its employees:
Honda’s shift toward electric vehicles is part of a broader strategy to achieve zero-emissions vehicle sales by 2040. The company has also partnered with LG Energy Solution to establish a $3.5 billion EV battery plant in Ohio, further strengthening its commitment to clean energy.
The retooling of Honda’s plants in Ohio aligns with the company’s Triple Action to Zero strategy, which focuses on carbon neutrality, clean energy, and resource circulation. This strategy will significantly reduce Honda’s environmental footprint by 2050. The new production systems will incorporate high-efficiency machinery, sustainable energy solutions, and innovative recycling practices, such as using aluminum from manufacturing waste to create new vehicle parts.
Honda has a long-standing presence in Ohio, with over 40 years of auto production at MAP, where the company first began U.S. manufacturing in 1982. The new EV Hub continues that legacy, ensuring that Honda’s Ohio-based plants remain at the forefront of automotive innovation.
The transition to EV production at Honda’s Ohio plants also highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to workforce development, with plans to upskill employees for the new roles required for EV manufacturing. Through new training programs, Honda aims to maintain stable employment while keeping up with the evolving demands of the global auto industry.
Honda’s Ohio manufacturing plants, with an investment exceeding $1.4 billion over the past six years, are poised for a new era of vehicle production that will deliver advanced, sustainable, and customer-focused solutions for years to come.
