Honda Shifts 2012 CR-V Production to Ontario Plant

Production of the 2012 Honda CR-V has begun in an Ontario, Canada factory, according to a new press release from Honda. This marks a notable development, as Honda's two most popular vehicles, the Civic and the CR-V, are now both manufactured in Canada. A small ceremony was held at the Alliston plant after the first day of work, with Honda representatives debuting the first completed CR-V to an enthusiastic audience of plant employees and industry insiders.

The History of the CR-V 

The 2012 Honda CR-V begins the fourth generation of the wildly popular SUV. First launched in 1995, the CR-V is built on a Civic platform, combining the sturdy reliability Civics are renowned for with a stylish and spacious SUV body. The CR-V was initially greeted with skepticism, even by Honda itself, but gained popularity until it became a global success. It evolved from a light, sporty vehicle in its first generation to a heavier and more classical SUV in its second and third. The fourth generation is sleeker and more dramatic than any of its predecessors, with a lean style and aggressively bold front.

The 2012 Honda CR-V also comes packed with a more powerful and efficient 2.4L engine capable of turning out 185 horsepower and averaging 25 miles per gallon. The CR-V has an intelligent All-Wheel Drive system included, making even the most inclement of weather a breeze to navigate.

A Fresh Start for Honda 

The similar base of the CR-V and Civic means that the cars can be built on the same line, a major boost in efficiency for Honda after a difficult year. The catastrophic earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in 2011 and terrorized its citizens for months afterward impacted Honda as well. The company experienced shortages of both parts, machines and available personnel, causing a rough year for the automobile manufacturer. 2012, however, appears to see the company back on track and ready to move on. The two Canadian plants have an output of about 1600 vehicles per day between them, and will need to be moving at full capacity to keep up with demand for both the Civic and the CR-V.

Canadians Proud to Be the CR-V's New Home 

The Alliston, Ontario plant that now produces the Honda CR-V is taking over from an East Liberty, Ohio manufacturer. The Alliston plant has been producing Honda vehicles for twenty five years, and manufactures three other models, including the Civic. The CR-V has been on the Canadian market since 1997 and was well-received from the start, with Canadians quickly recognizing it's versatility and reliable Honda engineering.

Canada and Honda have had a longstanding relationship based on mutual respect for decades. With billions invested in the nation and nearly six million vehicles to show for it, many Canadians were glad to see one of the country's top-selling vehicles move to the Alliston plant. The 2012 Honda CR-V is a marvel of engineering and a testament to Honda's continuing ability to evolve, adjust and remain on the cutting edge of automotive technology. With this shift to manufacturing in Ontario, Honda is again displaying a thriftiness that allows it to invest those savings into its vehicles and consumers, giving it just one more advantage over its competitors.

Colin Woods is a retired insurance agent, and enjoys writing and teaching in his retirement. If you ever want to learn more about insurance and finance please have a look at his other works.

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