Expansion increases as production begins

(HPPG) celebrated the start of mass production of five-speed transmissions by announcing plans to expand production capabilities at its west

facility, which will increase investment to $150 million and employment to 440.

The increased investment of $50 million will add aluminum die-casting and machining and other in-house production capabilities. The investment will also increase the size of the facility by 100,000 square feet to a total of 350,000 square feet.

HPPG is Honda's thirteenth major plant in North America. Reflecting Honda's strategy to base powertrain production near vehicle production for synchronous assembly, the plant will initially support production of Honda Odyssey minivans and Pilot sport utility vehicles at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, 60 miles west of the Tallapoosa plant. At full capacity, HPPG will produce more than 300,000 automatic transmissions per year.

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama is the sole production source of the Odyssey minivan. It also produces the Honda Pilot SUV and has the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles and V6 engines per year.