Honda's engine and transmissions plants in the US state of Ohio commenced mass production of the company’s new Earth Dreams powertrain series.
The Earth Dreams powertrain series is a new generation of engines and transmissions that will make their US debut on the all-new 2013 Honda Accord at the company's auto plant in Marysville.
Honda has applied its Earth Dreams engine and transmission technologies in the ninth-generation Accord.
The technologies include a new four-cylinder direct injection engine paired with a new Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), and a new V-6 engine with 6-speed automatic transmission.
Honda plant manager at the Anna Engine Plant John Spoltman said this next generation of technological advancements in our powertrains will greatly enhance both driving performance and fuel efficiency.
"Our associates have incredible experience and they are employing all of their skills to launching this exciting new series of engines for an Accord that will excel in all areas," Spoltman said.
In North America, the company is spending $120m at Honda Transmission Mfg of America for the new CVT line that started mass production, and nearly $100m at the Anna Engine Plant for the production of the CVT's high-tech pulley components starting next year.
At Honda Transmission, the associates are assembling the Accord CVTs on a new assembly line constructed as part of a $70m, 200,000 sq ft plant expansion.
The company will invest an additional $50m in a 75,000 sq ft expansion of the facility for additional aluminum casting operations to support the CVT assembly line.
At the Anna Engine Plant, construction is under way on 84,000sq ft of space for production of the CVT pulley components, which will commence
