‘Ohio’s advanced manufacturing future is bright;’ DeWine hopes state lands new Honda battery plant

COLUMBUS — Japanese automaker Honda says a new battery production plant is coming to the United States and Governor Mike DeWine is hoping that Ohio will be chosen as its future location.

South Korean battery maker LG and Honda announced Monday that they would be investing $4.4 billion into a factory in the United States to produce batteries exclusively for Honda electric vehicles assembled in North America.

Construction on the plant is expected to begin in early 2023, with mass mass production of advanced lithium-ion battery cells to start by the end of 2025.

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LG Energy Solution CEO Youngsoo Kwon called the joint venture “another milestone in our mid-to long-term strategy of promoting electrification in the fast-growing North American market.”

While a location for the plant has not been announced, people familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal that the factory is expected to be built in Ohio.

Lt. Governor Jon Husted increased speculation Monday morning when he shared the Wall Street Journal’s report on his personal twitter and added “More to come soon on this.”

Less than four hours later, DeWine released a statement saying that the state’s “advanced manufacturing future is bright” and that he hopes Honda will expand its operation in Ohio.

“For almost 40 years, Ohio has been at the center of Honda’s North American vehicle production, and we are working with Honda and LG to ensure that they choose Ohio for this new electric battery plant.”

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Honda currently has multiple manufacturing plants in Ohio, including plants in Anna, Marysville, East Liberty and Russell’s Point.

Honda CEO and Representative Director of Honda Motor Co., Ltd, Toshihiro Mibe, said in a media release that the automaker is working toward achieving “carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities the company is involved in by 2050.”

The joint venture is scheduled to be established this year. Closing is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

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