Ontario secures Honda $857M investment; protects 4,000 jobs

Nov. 7, 2014 – Ontario is partnering with Honda to make the company’s Alliston plant one of the most innovative in North America, said premier Kathleen Wynne, adding that the partnership reinforces Ontario’s position as a leader in auto manufacturing.

The $857-million investment will occur over three years in technologies for vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing, as well as worker training and research and development partnerships with Ontario universities and colleges. The project strives to make the Alliston operation a teaching plant for all other Honda facilities worldwide.

As well, about 4,000 jobs will be protected at the plant and “thousands more in the supply chain,” said the premier.

Alliston, about 90 kilometres north of Toronto, is becoming the first Honda plant in the world to launch the next generation Civic into mass production and will develop the processes and tooling trials that will form the manufacturing base at all Honda plants worldwide, the company said.

“This investment helps to position the Alliston facility as an innovation leader in Honda’s global operations. Our government will keep working with all auto companies to attract new investment in the competitive global auto industry,” said Brad Duguid, minister of economic development, employment and infrastructure.

Ontario will provide a conditional grant of up to $85.7 million to be doled out over five years, said government officials.

To date, the Japanese automaker has built more than six million vehicles in the province.

PHOTO L to R: Ontario minister of economic development, employment and infrastructure, Brad Duguid; premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne; and president and CEO of Honda Canada, Jerry Chenkin; courtesy Business Wire.