US – The factory in Ohio has become the second production location for the luxury SUV, after Honda Manufacturing of Alabama in Lincoln. In the autumn, East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) will take exclusive responsibility for the model as the Alabama factory increases production of the Honda Pilot SUV.
Honda invested $85m at ELP for the installation of new welding equipment, the extension of vehicle conveyors and other adaptations for MDX production. ELP already manufactures the Acura RDX and the Honda CR-V, both SUVs, and served as the global lead plant in key areas for the launch of the 2017 CR-V.
“From our start up three decades ago producing small sedans to the three different light trucks [SUVs] we build today, our associates continue to demonstrate the skills needed for high quality and flexible manufacturing,” commented Tim Myers, ELP plant manager.
The addition of the MDX at ELP means that five of Acura's six models are now built in Ohio: the MDX and RDX at ELP; the TLX and ILX at Marysville Auto Plant; and the NSX at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville.
ELP, which started production in December 1989, now covers 2.8m sq.ft and employs 2,350 workers. It has an annual capacity of 240,000 cars and light trucks
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