LINCOLN, Ala. - Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, LLC marked the start of production* of the Accord V-6 Sedan today, utilizing the plant’s flexible manufacturing system to meet customer demand for Honda’s lineup of passenger cars and light trucks and ensure the most efficient use of Honda’s manufacturing capacity in Alabama and throughout North America.

“The addition of the Accord V-6 Sedan in Alabama was a great challenge, but one that our associates have accomplished by working together with a single focus—to build products of the highest quality for our customers,” said Nobu Sanui, president and CEO of Honda’s Alabama operations.

HMA is now the production source of four Honda vehicles: the Odyssey minivan; the Pilot sport utility vehicle; the Ridgeline pickup; and the Accord V-6 Sedan, as well as the V-6 engines that power each vehicle.

A brief ceremony attended by more than 1,000 Line 2 associates marked the start of mass production of the Accord in Alabama. The first Alabama-built Accord was a top-of-the-line EX-L model in Silver Metallic, equipped with leather interior and a navigation system.

“The quick transfer of production of the Accord V-6 Sedan from Ohio to Alabama in a nine-month time period is a testament to Honda’s production flexibility and confidence in our Alabama workforce,” said Chuck Ernst, HMA senior vice president. “We are honored to add the Accord as the latest model in our production lineup.”

The Accord was first produced in the U.S. in 1982 at the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio. It was the first Japanese-nameplate car produced in the United States. The success of the Accord demonstrated that quality automobiles could be built in America and set a path for Honda in North America. Seven more Accord generations followed, leading to the eighth-generation Accord now being built in Alabama and Ohio. In October 2008, Honda announced Accord V-6 Sedan production would be added in Alabama to allow increased production of Accord 4-cylinder models in Ohio.

The Honda Accord received a full model change for the 2008 model year. The 3.5-liter i-VTEC V-6 engine produces 271 horsepower - the most ever for Accord - while introducing a new generation of fuel-saving Variable Cylinder Management technology and achieving a Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle (PZEV ) rating. The VCM system, standard on all automatic transmission-equipped V-6 models, operates in 6-cylinder mode for power and 4- and 3-cylinder modes for efficiency, resulting in an EPA city/highway fuel economy rating of 19/29 miles per gallon (Accord V-6 Sedan).

The Accord also features Honda’s Advanced Compatibility EngineeringTM (ACETM) body structure, which enhances frontal collision compatibility with vehicles of different sizes and bumper heights. Additional standard safety equipment on the Accord includes Vehicle Stability AssistTM (VSA®), (electronic stability control); side-curtain airbags; dual-chamber front side airbags with passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active front seat head restraints, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution, brake assist and more.

HMA builds the Odyssey minivan on both Line 1 and Line 2. The Ridgeline has been added to Line 1 production, while the Pilot sport utility vehicle and the Accord V-6 Sedan are built only on Line 2 at the $1.4 billion Lincoln facility.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment in 1959 of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda’s first overseas subsidiary. The company has invested more than $12.1 billion in its U.S. operations. With 16 major manufacturing facilities, Honda employs more than 34,000 associates in North America to produce Honda and Acura automobiles, all-terrain vehicles, personal watercraft, lawn mowers, general-purpose engines, and other power equipment products. Honda currently partners with more than 620 North American suppliers, including 545 in the U.S., and purchased more than $19.5 billion in parts and materials from its North American suppliers in 2008.