TOKYO, Japan, July 9, 2013 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today began production at its Saitama Factory's Yorii Plant, a newly constructed automobile production plant located in Yorii-machi, Osato-gun, Saitama, Japan.

Designed under the concept of "producing the world's eco-friendliest products at the world's friendliest plant," this people-friendly and environmentally-responsible Yorii Plant becomes the world's top class energy saving plant through the adoption of Honda's most advanced production technologies and establishment of a highly efficient production system. The plant features an advanced and highly efficient production line, including a painting process shortened through the adoption of highly functional painting technology.

Production at the Yorii Plant will include the Freed minivan and the all-new Fit that is scheduled to go on sale in Japan this September. The planned annual production capacity of the plant is 250,000 units.

With the start of production at Yorii Plant today, all three production plants of Honda's Saitama Factory are now in operation, including Ogawa Plant for engine production and Sayama Plant capable for production of a broad mix of models with small lot sizes.

As a global leading plant, Yorii Plant will be responsible for leading Honda's automobile production around the world, while Honda continues to take on new challenges to provide good products to its customers with speed, affordability and low CO₂ emissions.