Honda has announced that it will build the Acura MDX in a second plant beginning in 2017. While MDX production will continue in Alabama alongside Honda Pilot, Odyssey and Ridgeline, Honda will also build the premium SUV in Ohio.
Honda will invest $85 million in East Liberty for the addition of new welding equipment, the extension of vehicle conveyors and other changes required to support production of the MDX. The East Liberty Plant currently builds the Acura RDX SUV, the Honda Crosstour and the Honda CR-V.
The Lincoln, Alabama plant is currently the exclusive production location for the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot SUV and Honda Odyssey. The plant will add a fourth model, the next generation Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, starting next year.
The move is aimed at helping meet growing demand for both Honda and Acura light trucks produced in North America, including the all-new 2016 Honda Pilot.
“Increasing our flexibility and fully utilizing available production resources is critical to our future growth, which will be driven heavily by our light truck business and new models like the Honda HR-V crossover and redesigned Pilot SUV,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co.
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