Torrance, California – Honda has announced that it will begin production of V6 Accord sedans at its Alabama auto plant while increasing production of four-cylinder Accord models in Marysville, Ohio, part of a series of production adjustments the company is making in North America and globally to meet customer demand.

“We are leveraging our flexible manufacturing network to meet the needs of our customers for more fuel-efficient products,” said John Mendel, American Honda Motor Company executive vice-president. “We will continue to guide our business based on strategic and careful management tied to our core values.”

The company said that the majority of V6 Accord sedan production will shift from Honda’s Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio to Lincoln, Alabama in mid-2009; Marysville will increase its production of four-cylinder Accord sedans in mid-2009, decreasing imports of Accord from Japan to the U.S.; the Anna, Ohio engine plant will increase production of four-cylinder engines; and production of the Ridgeline pickup truck will move from Ontario to Alabama in early 2009, a move that was announced earlier this year.

The move will mark the first time the Alabama plant has produced passenger cars since it began production of the Odyssey minivan in November 2001; the Accord V6 sedan will become the fourth model produced on the plant’s two assembly lines, along with the Odyssey, Pilot and the relocated Ridgeline. Annually production capacity at the Alabama plant will remain at 300,000 vehicles and 300,000 V6 engines. The plant plans to further reduce light truck production through the end of March 31, 2009, to adjust for current market conditions and to prepare for the launch of Accord production.