Honda motorcycles says "Adiós!"

[Warchild]

Just pulled this off another bike forum.... dunno how accurate it is, but it seems likely enough, the way Honda motorcycles has been going the last 5-7 years....

TO BE READ Wednesday, February 27, 2008TO: HAM and EGA Associates

FROM: Akio Hamada, HAM President and CEO PLEASE READ MMP to Cease Production in Spring 2009. Please read entire text below.

PLEASE POST

This morning I made a very important and difficult announcement to our fellow associates at the Marysville Motorcycle Plant.

Beginning in spring 2009, Honda will consolidate the Marysville Motorcycle Plant production at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kumamoto, Japan.

As you may remember, Honda made a similar announcement in 2006 to consolidate motorcycle production from the Hamamatsu plant in Japan to Kumamoto. The purpose of these consolidation efforts is to strengthen the competitiveness and appeal of Honda products by applying advanced technologies.

Out of respect to our associates and those impacted by this announcement, I wanted to share this news as soon as possible. We are currently evaluating how we will proceed with this direction. But I want to assure you that MMP associates will remain an important part of the HAM team. There will be no layoffs.

In the past, many people have identified themselves as motorcycle associates, or auto plant associates, or engine associates. But the one very important thing for all of us to remember is that we are one team. A team of dedicated and committed Honda associates whose number one objective is to satisfy our customers.

We will share with you more details as they become available. Thank you and have a safe day.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

There will be no layoffs.

But there will be a longer commute.

 

[Randy]

Looks legit

https://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080227/honda_motorcycles.html?.v=1

 

[Scab]

Interesting. No official press release on their site. Honda Press Releases

 

[snikr]

So much for "American Honda".

Tom

 

[FJR919]

My Acura TL was made in Marysville Ohio. Maybe they're going to expand car production with motorcycle assembly moving to Japan.

 

[Toecutter]

Honda motorcycles says "Adiós!"

I figured they would say "Sayonara!". Guess they've been in our country too long....

 

[twowheelnut]

What are they building in Ohio? Just the Wing and ST? If so, looks like a justifiable move given the low unit count.

 

[Scab]

...and the VTX series.

 

[twowheelnut]

...and the VTX series.

Another low volume seller.

 

[Scab]

Yep, this is a quote from the article linked by Randy:



"The Japanese plant will be capable of producing up to 600,000 motorcycles a year. Capacity at the Marysville plant is 75,000."

The key word there is "CAPACITY."

Also from the article:

"Last year, the plant produced about 44,000 Gold Wing touring and VTX cruiser bikes."

 

[FZ/FJR Mike]

Probably has as much to do with the value of the dollar on international currency exchanges. Sad thing to hear, I've a distant cousing who works @ Marysville & is very proud of the quility built there.

 

[mattster31]

Cycle World in Toronto closed last year because Honda pulled there bikes from them, and that was there main inventory. Had a big liquidation sale in the summer though. Products were selling for 70-80% at the end of it. I scored a great deal on a helmet and jacket! Sad to see it happen though.............they had been there for years! I bought my second bike from them back in '87. Although it was a Yamaha............

I wonder how they will manage not to lay anyone off??? Offer moving expenses and a crash course in Japanese??

 

[vectervp1]

I wonder how they will manage not to lay anyone off??? Offer moving expenses and a crash course in Japanese??

It was cleverly hidden in the Yahoo article....

"The workers will remain with the company, helping produce cars, trucks, engines and parts and filling other jobs at Honda's operations in west-central Ohio, the company said."

 

[Murph]

My Acura TL was made in Marysville Ohio. Maybe they're going to expand car production with motorcycle assembly moving to Japan.

Probably. Less costly to build and ship new motorcycles to the US than to ship new cars across the deep blue sea.

 

[Scab]

This also from the article linked by Randy:

"No decision has been made about what to do with the Marysville plant, which has 3.6 million square feet."

Anyone thinking what I'm thinking?

[SIZE=24pt]NAFO 2![/SIZE]

Could make for an interesting "indoor track day."

 

[Fred W]

Just pulled this off another bike forum.... dunno how accurate it is, but it seems likely enough, the way Honda motorcycles has been going the last 5-7 years....

TO BE READ Wednesday, February 27, 2008TO: HAM and EGA Associates

Ham and Ega? That doesn't pass the sniff test.

Ham and Egger

HAM = Honda America Motors. What the heck is EGA?

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

There will be no layoffs.

Given the upcoming primaries in Ohio, it'll be interesting to see if anyone takes credit :glare:

(hope that's not too political)

 

[twowheelnut]

HAM = Honda America Motors. What the heck is EGA?

EGA

:lol: