Honda of America Manufacturing has announced that it will suspend the second shift on Line 1 of the Marysville Auto Plant beginning Aug. 1.
The reduction in production could reportedly last several years.
The Marysville Auto Plant currently builds vehicles with two shifts on two production lines. After Aug. 1, production will continue with two shifts on Line two and one shift on Line One. Officials said the change also will impact production at the Anna Engine Plant, the Honda Transmission as well as suppliers and logistic companies.
Honda spokesperson Anita Sipes said 4,700 associates are employed at the Marysville Auto Plant, but said the company does not share specific staffing levels on particular lines or shifts, “for competitive reasons.”
She said there will be no immediate impact on MAP employment. She said the company expects “workforce adjustments will be managed through attrition of the company’s current workforce.”
She explained that employees could be moved to a different shift, a different department or even a different plant, based on where the attrition takes place.
“Because of this reduction, we are going to have some manpower shifting throughout Honda of America Manufacturing,” Sipes said. “Once we understand where our numbers are, we will take a look at that and there will likely be some realignment of our manpower.”
To help shape the attrition, the company is “offering a voluntary resignation program for contingent associates only,” Sipes said.
In a release officials said the change, “will enable the plant to align supply with current market demand and utilize this period to update manufacturing capabilities to prepare for new technologies including electrification.”
“The timing of this change will be used as an opportunity to strengthen our fundamental manufacturing constitution at our production operations across North America,” Sipes said. “With this production adjustment on Line One of the Marysville Auto Plant, we will strive to further enhance the lean and high-quality characteristics of our manufacturing capabilities, particularly as it relates to the ability to more efficiently launch new products.”
Officials explained that while market demand continues to shift from sedans to light trucks, “Honda remains committed to a robust sedan business as passenger cars remain popular, particularly among young and multicultural car buyers, who are critical to Honda’s future.”
The release noted that younger drivers are moving toward passenger cars.
Sipes said the Marysville Auto Plant built 337,471 Accords in 2018.
“Since this move is temporary, we are not changing capacity figures,” Sipes said.
She explained the company expects to “resume second shift within a few years.”
The Marysville Auto Plant currently produces the Honda Accord, Accord FHEV, Honda CR-V, Acura ILX and Acura TLX, while Line 2 builds only the Honda Accord.