(October 29, 2010) EAST LIBERY, Ohio — Honda's East Liberty Auto Plant reached a milestone Friday with production of its 4 millionth vehicle, a 2011 Honda CR-V.

Since starting local auto production in 1989, seven years after Honda began auto production in the U.S. at the Marysville Auto Plant, the East Liberty Auto Plant has manufactured a wide range of passenger cars and light trucks over the years, including the Honda Civic Sedan and Coupe, Civic GX compressed natural gas vehicle, Acura CL Coupe and Accord Sedan. The plant currently produces the Accord Crosstour and Element, as well as the CR-V models.

"This milestone is a testament to the dedication of our associates to provide the highest quality products to our customers," said Plant Manager John Mayberry. "Our team at the East Liberty plant has established a strong foundation in Ohio by continually improving our plant operations in order to exceed the expectations of our customers."

The East Liberty plant currently employs 2,400 associates and its flexible production line has the capacity to manufacture 240,000 passenger cars and light trucks per year.

With production of more than 200,000 vehicles thus far in 2010, the East Liberty plant's production is well ahead of the same period a year ago. Honda's auto plants in East Liberty and Marysville together have produced more than 490,000 passenger cars and light trucks in Ohio so far in 2010.

2010 Honda CR-V

Today the plant manufactures the vast majority of the popular CR-V models sold in North America, and is the exclusive North American production site for the Crosstour and Element.

As with Honda's other auto, engine and transmission plants in North America, the East Liberty plant has undergone continuous innovation over the years, making it one of the most flexible and efficient plants in North America. The plant's capabilities to build larger vehicles increased with the launch last year of the Accord Crosstour, the largest and heaviest vehicle ever produced at the East Liberty plant.

The plant also achieves top quality levels, including a sixth-place ranking in the 2010 Initial Quality Survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates.