"Foundry Management and Technology" magazine reports that Honda will cease manufacturing of motorcycles in the U.S.A. in 2009, according to a Honda corporate strategy.
Production will apparently be increased at the Honda plant in Kumamoto, Japan.
The magazine reports that production will end next spring at the Honda motorcycle plant in Marysville, Ohio and the 450 workers will be transferred to positions at Honda's four other operations in central Ohio.
"The Marysville motorcycle plant is Honda's oldest U.S. manufacturing operation, having started up in 1979", according to the magazine. Honda of America produced 44,000 Gold Wing 1800 and VTX 1800 and VTX 1300 V-Twin Cruiser motorcycles at the plant in 2007.
"Honda officials state that the end of motorcycle production will be matched by a greater emphasis on auto manufacturing in North America. It is building a $550-million assembly plant near Greensburg, Indiana and a $140-million engine plant in Alliston, Ontario, Canada, both of which are due to start up this year.
