Honda Marks 40 Years of Innovation at Anna Engine Plant

Honda's Anna Engine Plant (AEP) in Ohio is celebrating its 40th anniversary, marking a significant milestone as the largest Honda auto engine plant in the world. Since its inception in 1985, AEP has expanded more than tenfold, with investments totaling $2.9 billion, and has produced over 32.5 million engines. The plant's flexible manufacturing methods now support the production of internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrid powertrains, and all-electric motors on the same production lines, positioning it as a cornerstone of Honda's EV Hub in Ohio.

The plant's history includes the production of a wide range of engines, from the 4-cylinder powerplant for the Honda Civic in 1986 to the 500 hp 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine for the Acura NSX. AEP's adaptability is further demonstrated by its recent addition of processes to produce the aluminum EV battery case, including megacasting, friction stir welding, and Minimum Quantity Lubrication machining, in preparation for EV production starting in 2026.

Michael Tinch, plant lead of Anna Engine Plant, credited the plant's success to the skills and commitment of its associates. With 2,900 employees and a facility spanning over 2.8 million square feet, AEP has grown from a modest 200,000 square-foot facility with 94 associates in 1985. The plant's comprehensive operations, from ferrous casting to assembly, underscore its role as one of the industry's most interconnected powertrain facilities.

As part of Honda's broader manufacturing footprint in Ohio, which includes five plants and a total capital investment of $13 billion, AEP is at the forefront of the company's electrified future. Honda's investment of over $1 billion to retool its Ohio plants for EV production, alongside a $3.5 billion joint venture with LG Energy Solution for an EV battery plant, highlights the strategic importance of AEP and Ohio in Honda's global operations.