Honda Shifts Production from Japan to U.S. in Response to Tariffs

Honda is moving some vehicle production from Japan to the U.S. due to tariffs. The Civic hatchback hybrid will only be produced in Indiana later this year. The company assured that production in Ontario will not be impacted. Unifor remains hopeful but advocates for policies to ensure job stability in Canada.

Honda is relocating some vehicle production from Japan to the U.S. as a response to recent tariffs impacting the automotive industry. According to company spokesman Chris Abbruzzese, Honda will exclusively manufacture the Civic hatchback hybrid in Indiana, where production had previously also occurred in Japan.

There were concerns raised in Canada regarding potential shifts of Honda’s production from its Alliston, Ontario, operations to the U.S., but the company clarified it has no immediate plans for such a move. Ontario Premier Doug Ford noted that Honda aims to enhance U.S. production without compromising its Canadian facilities.

Honda’s operations in Ontario have recently commenced production of the sedan variant of the Civic hybrid, alongside conventional and hybrid models of the CR-V. In response to Honda’s reassurances, Unifor expressed cautious optimism but emphasized the importance of a policy framework to maintain accountability in the automotive sector.

Lana Payne, Unifor’s national president, stressed the need for both investment incentives and consequences for companies that relocate jobs to align with U.S. trade policies. Such measures are necessary to ensure ongoing manufacturing presence and employment stability in Canada.

Honda’s decision to shift some production to the U.S. in light of tariffs underscores the changing dynamics in the automotive industry. While the company reassured that Canadian production will not be affected, unions stress the necessity for policies that protect domestic jobs and ensure accountability from automakers concerning job relocation decisions. Both investment support and penalties for relocating jobs are pivotal for the Canadian automotive landscape going forward.

Original Source: halifax.citynews.ca