TOKYO, Japan, September 8, 2010 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today held a ceremony to commemorate the completion of the new automobile transmission plant at its Hamamatsu Factory (in Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka, Japan).

Honda relocated its former transmission production operations to the new plant and increased the capacity to meet demand for automobile transmissions. With the new plant, the Hamamatsu Factory annual production capacity for automatic transmissions (AT) and continuously variable transmissions (CVT) was increased from the previous 700,000 units to 800,000 units. The new plant is scheduled to begin production at its full-capacity in January 2011.

The new two-story plant building has an aluminum machining line and transmission parts receiving/shipping station on the first floor and a transmission assembly line on the second floor, achieving efficient use of space and high production efficiency. The first floor is equipped with an air-conditioning system which improves air circulation to address the issue of oil mist. The plant is also equipped with a solar energy generation system on the top of the roof and an access way between facilities. Moreover, the new plant has advanced designs to address environmental issues from various perspectives including rooftop afforestation and use of rainwater.

As a leader plant for Honda's global transmission production, Hamamatsu Factory will further strengthen its function to evolve advanced production technologies to other Honda plants worldwide.