Associates at the Marysville Auto Plant today started production of the
all-new 2013 Honda Accord, marking 30 years of Honda automotive manufacturing
in the United States. The ninth-generation Accord will go on sale next month.
Ohio Gov. John Kasich along with other government and community leaders
joined Honda associates at the plant today as the first mass-produced
2013 Accords rolled off the assembly line. The Accord has been in
continuous production at the Marysville Auto Plant since it started
operations as the first Japanese automaker in the U.S. on Nov. 1, 1982,
with production of the second-generation Accord Sedan. The plant has
produced more than 9 million Accords during the past three decades.
"This new Accord excels in all areas, and it's being built in a plant
that excels in all areas as well -- including flexibility, efficiency and
quality for the customer," said Hide Iwata, president and CEO of Honda
of America Mfg. "For 30 years, the Accord has been the signature vehicle
from Honda, and it remains the industry benchmark in a very competitive
segment."
Located northwest of Columbus, the Marysville Auto Plant redefined the
American automobile industry over the past 30 years with its highly
skilled workforce, top quality, production flexibility and
environmentally responsible performance, according to a company release.
During the line-off event, Jeff Tomko, plant manager of the Marysville
Auto Plant, hailed the high degree of quality and craftsmanship achieved
by the Honda associates building the new Accord.
"The styling is outstanding, the features are impressive and the
technology is unlike any other vehicle in this segment," said Tomko.
"But what really makes this vehicle great is the hands-on craftsmanship
that each of our associates have put into building this new Accord."
With its full-model change, the 2013 Accord has a sculpted and
aerodynamic exterior, all-new engines and transmissions, and innovative
features that include the LaneWatch blind-spot display which enhances
visibility of the passenger-side roadway, Lane Departure Warning and
Forward Collision Warning. New technologies that are standard on all
Accord models include rearview camera and Expanded View Driver's Mirror.
Also standard are popular technologies including Bluetooth
HandsFreeLink phone interface, Multi-Information Display (i-MID), SMS
text messaging function and Pandora Internet Radio interface.
"Together, we worked hand-in-hand to ensure that every detail of this
vehicle could be manufactured with the highest levels of quality," said
Mike Fischer, manufacturing new-model leader for the Accord. "We have
been very successful at taking an exciting design concept for the 2013
Accord and turning it into a segment-leading product for our customers."
One example is the Accord's seamless, one-piece instrument panel, which
reduces road noise and makes for a much more quiet and luxurious ride.
Making this one change required three new machines, two new welders and
installation of a special seismic floor six feet deep into the plant
floor to eliminate vibrations that could cause variations with the
ultrasonic knife used to score perforations that will enable deployment
of the front passenger airbag.
"This new Accord will be very fun to drive, will offer great fuel
economy, and will feature a comfortable cabin with a very quiet ride,"
