LINCOLN, Ala. – Associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC (HMA) today reached a production milestone at 8:00 p.m. with the roll out of the first, all-new 2005 Odyssey minivan and V-6 engine at HMA. Honda is still keeping tight wraps on the new Odyssey, which is set to arrive at Honda dealers nationwide in mid-September.

Accompanied by strains of the song “Sweet Home Alabama,” the first 2005-model Odyssey minivan rolled off Honda’s Line 1 at the Lincoln Plant to the cheers of more than 1,200 Honda associates.

The brief in-house celebration marked the start of mass production of the all-new Odyssey. HMA is now the exclusive global production source for the Odyssey, as Honda of Canada Manufacturing ceased production of the Odyssey with the end of the ’04 model.

“Once again, the nearly 3,600 associates at HMA have demonstrated world-class manufacturing capabilities in reaching this milestone with the 2005 model Odyssey,” said Chuck Ernst, HMA plant manager. “We salute the accomplishments of all HMA associates and their commitment to building products of the highest quality for our customers.”

HMA currently produces the Odyssey minivan, the Honda Pilot sport utility vehicle and V6 engines on the two assembly lines at the $1 billion Lincoln facility.

Early next year, Honda expects to reach employment of 4,300 associates with a total annual production capacity of 300,000 vehicles and V-6 engines.