Temple of VTEC Rumors and News - Honda of South Carolina Produces 1 Millionth ATV

Timmonsville Plant Began Operation in 1998

Timmonsville, S.C. 12/23/2003 --
Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) today will produce the 1 millionth all terrain vehicle (ATV) since the plant began operation July 1, 1998. The one millionth ATV - a Honda TRX400EX - will be produced by Honda associates working on HSC's second shift.

"From the beginning, the goal of our associates has been to work as a team to build quality products that meet the needs of Honda customers," said HSC President Hideki Ikegawa. "Reaching this one million unit mark in just over five years is an impressive milestone, but it is just the result of outstanding teamwork and our focus on the customer."

Honda owns an industry-leading 30.7% share of the U.S. ATV market through November 2003 - with tremendous sales momentum over the past four months.

Much of this success in a highly competitive market has been fueled by the record production at HSC. HSC has already surpassed its previous annual production high of 234,453 units set in 2002, with more than 243,000 ATVs produced thus far in 2003. HSC began production in July 1998, with production of two models. Today, HSC builds eight different multi-purpose and sport ATV models - with the addition of engine assembly in fall 2002. Further, HSC opened a second plant for the assembly of Honda AquaTrax personal watercraft (PWC) in December 2002.

ATVs produced at HSC are currently exported overseas to countries including Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The plant also provides key ATV components -- including engines, fuel tanks, differentials and swing arms -- to Honda's Ohio motorcycle plant for ATV assembly there.

HSC now employs more than 1,600 associates at its two plants for the production of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), engines and PWCs - a total investment of more than $111 million.

Honda is the world's largest producer of engines, with more than 16.5 million customers globally in 2003 for its diverse line-up of automobiles, motorcycles, PWCs and ATVs, and power equipment products. Honda began operations in North America in 1959 with the establishment of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., Honda's first overseas subsidiary. Honda employs more than 26,000 associates in North America in the design, manufacture and marketing of products. Honda currently has 12 manufacturing plants in North America with more than 110 plants in 31 countries worldwide.