Honda Canada commemorates milestone of 5 millionth vehicle made in Canada
Honda Canada Inc. today commemorated the 5 millionth vehicle made in Canada at its Honda of Canada Mfg. vehicle manufacturing facility in Alliston, Ontario. This milestone reflects Honda's commitment to Canada since it began manufacturing vehicles here 23 years ago.
The 5 millionth vehicle built - a 2009 Honda Civic sedan - was presented by Honda Canada president and CEO, Mr. Manabu Nishimae, to the Province of Ontario in a ceremony held at Queen's Park. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty received the keys to the new Civic of behalf of the Province of Ontario and, in turn, presented the car to Pamela Fuselli, executive director of Safe Kids Canada.
"This is a significant accomplishment for Honda in Canada," said Manabu Nishimae, president and chief executive officer of Honda Canada Inc. "In 1986, we built the first of three factories in Alliston, based on our company's philosophy to build our products close to our customers. Honda continues to invest its profits back into Canada as we strive to be a company that Canadians will want to exist. We are also committed to the manufacturing of green, safe, fun vehicles. Our donation to the Province, and to Safe Kids Canada is a reflection of this pledge to our Canadian consumers and to consumer safety."
"Honda has been a major contributor to Ontario and Canada's economy for forty years," said Premier McGuinty. "We are honoured by Honda's gift of its 5 millionth vehicle to the Province of Ontario, and to one of our local charities, from a company that has become part of the Canadian manufacturing landscape."
"We are grateful to Premier McGuinty, the Ontario government and Honda Canada for their support and commitment to keeping children safe on our roads," said Pamela Fuselli, executive director, Safe Kids Canada. "It is donations like this from our partners and supporters that enable Safe Kids Canada to provide Canadians with practical and reliable solutions to prevent injuries so that our children can be active, healthy and safe."
Quick Facts:
- In 2008, Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) was Canada's second largest manufacturer of combined cars and light trucks.
- Honda employs more than more than 5,000 Honda Canada Associates coast-to-coast, and provides employment to more than 21,000 Canadians through manufacturing, sales offices, and dealerships across the country.
- Up to 390,000 Honda and Acura vehicles a year are built at the two HCM vehicle manufacturing plants in Alliston, Ontario, including the Honda Civic, Acura CSX and MDX. A third plant began producing fuel efficient 4-cylinder vehicle engines last September with an annual capacity of 200,000 units.
- Honda Canada Inc. sells more than 170,000 passenger cars and light duty trucks in Canada. The company was the first Japanese company to start production in Canada, where it manufactures the Honda Civic Canada's top-selling car for the past 11 years.
- The Honda Canada Foundation and its corporate entities provide annual funding to registered non-profit charities across Canada in support of safety, education, engineering and sustaining of the environment for (children and) youth.
Now in its 40th years of operations in Canada, Honda Canada Inc. has sold more than 3,200,000 Honda and Acura passenger cars and light-duty trucks. Nearly half of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in Canada in 2008 were made in Canada - a higher percentage than any other Canadian vehicle manufacturer.
