2011 Digital Fact Book - Honda

Japan
Production
• In the face of a global trend toward smaller vehicles, as well as increasing
environmental awareness by consumers, Honda increased its focus on
advanced manufacturing technologies for environmentally responsible
products and small vehicles, as well as efficient production of products
sold in Japan and strengthening its support for plants outside of Japan.
• In July 2010, Honda announced it will begin mini-vehicle production at
its Suzuka Factory in 2012. Though this initiative, Honda will establish
manufacturing technologies that contribute to the effort to reduce the
bodyweight and cost of Honda’s next-generation models produced locally
and around the world.
• Completion of a new state-of-the-art auto plant in the Yorii, Saitama prefecture,
is slated for 2013. The plant is expected to serve as the “leader plant” for the
creation and dissemination of new, state-of-the-art production technologies
aimed at improving Honda’s global manufacturing efficiency and flexibility.
In order to mature advanced technologies, the Yorii plant will begin with
small-volume production of environmentally responsible vehicles which
require highly sophisticated technologies, gradually increasing production
and, ultimately, sharing these technology advances with other Honda
operations around the world to help support the global growth of Honda.
• A new engine plant in Ogawa, Saitama prefecture, began Phase 1 operations
in 2009, involving casting and machining of engine components for plants in
Japan and overseas.
• In August 2010, Honda began production of automobile transmissions at its new
Hamamatsu factory, increasing production capacity from 700,000 to 800,000
automatic and continuously variable transmissions annually. As a “leader
plant” for global transmission production, the Hamamatsu factory will further
strengthen its function to evolve and share advanced production technologies
with Honda plants around the world.
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• In order to further advance technologies and know-how in the production
of motorcycles of all sizes, Honda consolidated all domestic motorcycle
production and global large motorcycle production at its new Kumamoto
factory at the end of 2009.
Environment
• In July 2010, Honda announced plans to begin real-world demonstration testing
of next-generation electrically powered personal mobility products, including
electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric scooters and electric carts,
to be conducted jointly with the Kumamoto and Saitama prefectures in Japan.
The demonstration program is part of the Honda Electric Mobility Network, a
comprehensive approach to the development and deployment of advanced
electromotive technologies for motorcycles, automobiles and power products.
• Honda Soltec, a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., began
sales of thin-film solar cells for residential use in 2007 and for industrial use
in 2008. In August 2010, the company began sales of two new residential-use
solar cell modules with output of 130W and 120W, respectively. In January 2011,
the company announced plans to release a new, more compact and efficient
solar cell module in 2011. The new module will offer an approximate 10 percent
increase in energy conversion efficiency to 13 percent, making it the world’s
most efficient CIGS-based solar cell, with roughly two-thirds the surface area
of the current module.
• In December 2010, Honda started lease sales of its EV-neo electric scooter to
customers in Japan. The company is targeting annual lease sales of 1,000 units.