Reply #6: Honda intent on saving US jobs by switching models

[ozymandius]

TOKYO - Honda will meet growing U.S. demand for small cars while maintaining North American jobs by moving production of two bigger models from Canada to Alabama, Chief Executive Takeo Fukui said Thursday.

Honda Motor Co.'s Pilot sport utility vehicle and Ridgeline pickup, now rolling off its plant in Alliston, Ontario, will be produced in Lincoln, Alabama, allowing the production of the Civic sedan to be raised in Canada, he said.

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Even the usually booming Japanese automakers are sensing the pinch from a U.S. economic slowdown and soaring material costs, including steel. But the Japanese are holding up better than their American rivals because of their reputation for fuel-efficient offerings.

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Honda will create American jobs when its plant to build Civics opens in Indiana later this year. That plant, Honda's seventh in North America, is expected to add about 2,000 jobs.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080529/ap_on_bi_ge/japan_h...