First 2007 CR-Vs Roll Off of the Assembly Line

East Liberty, Ohio 09/26/2006 -- Honda production associates left their shift at the East Liberty Plant this morning having finished production of the first U.S.-made Honda CR-V, an all-new version of one of America's most popular sport utility vehicles.

Sixty units of the CR-V - all them in the color Nighthawk Black Pearl - rolled off the same East Liberty assembly line where Honda associates also build the Honda Civic Sedan and the Honda Element SUV.

"We're proud that our associates can build three distinctly different vehicles on a common assembly line with Honda's commitment to quality," said John Pleiman, plant manager and vice president of Honda of America Mfg. Inc. "Their dedication has been a key component of Honda's flexible manufacturing systems, which allow us to respond quickly to market changes."

Both shifts at East Liberty built the first batch of CR-Vs, which began to take shape in the body welding shop. They emerged from the paint shop on the first shift Monday and journeyed down the final assembly line. The first model was driven off the line at 7:17 p.m. Eastern time.

"Communication is the key part of making flexibility work on the line," said associate Paula Wilson of Bellefontaine, who has worked at Honda for 22 years and is one of the original associates at the East Liberty Plant, which opened in 1989.

Roy Preston of Springfield, an original East Liberty associate who has worked for Honda for 20 years, said: "This is the best start we've had of any of the new models. We were more prepared for it, since our plant has been flexible for so long."

Flexibility also is a key attribute of the nearby Marysville Auto Plant, where Honda builds the Accord Sedan, Accord Coupe, Acura TL luxury sports sedan and Acura RDX luxury sport utility vehicle.

Annual production volume of the CR-V at the East Liberty Plant will be determined by customer demand. Truly a global product, the CR-V for the North American market also is produced in the United Kingdom and Japan.

"There was a considerable amount of teamwork around the world in redesigning and manufacturing the CR-V. Here at East Liberty, our associates were empowered to suggest process changes that made this vehicle fit in with the Civic and Element," said Dave Skidmore, engineering project leader for the CR-V.

CR-Vs made at East Liberty come equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder i-VTEC engine produced 40 miles away at Honda's Anna Engine Plant in western Ohio.

Between 2003 and 2006, Honda has invested about $750 million to keep its Ohio operations as state-of-the art facilities. Honda's total U.S. capital investment in research and development, design, manufacturing and sales operations has risen to more than $8.5 billion since 1979, when the company began U.S. manufacturing.

The East Liberty Plant inaugurated U.S. light truck production by Honda in Ohio when the Element went into production in November 2002.

The 2007 CR-V* goes on sale Thursday. The new crossover vehicle has a dramatic new body structure. Under the aerodynamic look are safety enhancements, including Honda's exclusive Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, six airbags, antilock brakes, pedestrian safety design and Vehicle Stability Assist with rollover sensor.

Source: Honda Motor Company

Are they flexible enough to build the rest of the '07s with decent-looking front ends?

Are they flexible enough to build the rest of the '07s with decent-looking front ends?

197935[/snapback]

I really hope so. There's murmerings about the next gen Fit recieving that front end treatment

I don't think it looks too bad. It will look better in person, just like the new Civic does. It also looks better in colors other than boring silver.

I haven't heard anything about the next Fit receiving a similar front end.

So... Subaru tried the "propeller" grille for a corporate look, and we know how that went.

Is Honda going to make this toothless grin their corporate look now?

Is Honda going to make this toothless grin their corporate look now?

197958[/snapback]

Maybe... the Fit and the Element are both popular with the elderly.

I don't think it looks too bad. It will look better in person, just like the new Civic does. It also looks better in colors other than boring silver.

I haven't heard anything about the next Fit receiving a similar front end.

197957[/snapback]

Well its been reported in Japanese mags on TOV's boards in the form of concept sketches. Although I'm pretty sure they're all just speculation, I'm pretty unhappy with the front end so I hope there's no truth to those rumors. I will say that the new CR-V front does look better in darker colors instead of the silver.

Edited September 27, 200619 yr by big blue

I hope the front end spreads to all other honda models, it's deliciously hideous.

I really can wait until these things rool out. Yuck.

I don't think it looks too bad. It will look better in person, just like the new Civic does.

197957[/snapback]

Agree.

I saw one sitting outside my dealer last weekend (not sure how if they just started production, maybe it was for people to look at but not buy?) and it looked just as ugly. It's as bad as the Aztek.

is it just me, or does that pic make this thing look *explitive deleted* *explitive deleted*?

wow it looks horrible

I don't think it looks too bad. It will look better in person, just like the new Civic does. It also looks better in colors other than boring silver.

197957[/snapback]

Edited September 27, 200619 yr by regfootball

Didn't know you were so excited about the new CR-V.... Of course after all the Yaris evangelizing, I don't know what to expect.

In person it's a refined and substantial design. It's not for those looking for killer looks or classy handsom chiselled features, if you want those Ford has the Edge or Explorer for ya. CR-V delivers in other areas, and finally has character inside and out.

I hope the front end spreads to all other honda models, it's deliciously hideous.

198010[/snapback]

I like your use of adjectives.

Didn't know you were so excited about the new CR-V.... Of course after all the Yaris evangelizing, I don't know what to expect.

198254[/snapback]

Apparently you wouldn't know sarcasm if it ran you over

I believe siegen replied to sarcasm with sarcasm.

Ever wonder what would happen if the Kool-Ade guy got stuck on a desert island?

You think he would drink himself to death to stave off dehydration?

I believe siegen replied to sarcasm with sarcasm.

199176[/snapback]

Yeah, I know.

If 'refined' means 'large, gaping hole that doesn't match with the rest of the fascia', yeah, refined.

I don't think it looks too bad. It will look better in person, just like the new Civic does. It also looks better in colors other than boring silver.

I haven't heard anything about the next Fit receiving a similar front end.

197957[/snapback]

Sorry, but I don't think the Civic looks any better in person. And I get the eye torture of seeing it every day.