LINCOLN — It may have had the same windshield, engine and steering wheel as every other Odyssey minivan that came through Line One Friday, but from the moment the first bolts were fastened Wednesday, this Honda had a special destiny—to be the one-millionth vehicle produced at the Alabama Honda Manufacturing plant.Hundreds of Line One employees gathered to cheer as Janice Lowe of Ashville drove the midnight blue pearl minivan off the assembly line about 10:30 a.m. with John Chapman in the passenger seat. It was a milestone workers were not explicitly working for, but have been working toward since the first Odyssey rolled off the line Nov. 14, 2001.
And HMA had that first Odyssey on hand Friday, a nostalgic reminder of how far the facility has come in just under five years.
In the five years since that first vehicle was produced, HMA now employs 4,500 workers who produce as many as 1,300 vehicles and engines on premises every day and 300,000 annually.
HMA Senior Vice President Rick Schostek was on hand for the festivities and praised employees’ determination in producing so many vehicles so quickly.
“Our associates’ impressive ability to reach this production milestone so quickly has enabled Honda to meet the needs of a record number of customers,” Schostek said. “Even more impressive has been their commitment to provide these customers with products of the highest quality. We salute the accomplishments and determination of our outstanding team of associates.”
Parts on the milestone vehicle were stamped Wednesday, when they began their journey through the miles of conveyor belts and assembly line workers. Honda spokesman Mark Morrison said the vehicle emerged from painting last night. Morrison said each vehicle Honda produces is directly or indirectly created by 15,000 people, including suppliers.
Honda’s $7 billion impact on the state’s economy is felt strongly in Talladega and St. Clair counties. Nearly 1,000 Honda associates live in Talladega County with a payroll effect of $53 million, while almost 700 associates making more than $38 million reside in St. Clair County. HMA spends more than $135 million annually with Talladega County businesses and $206 million with St. Clair County businesses.
Of the one million vehicles completed before lunch Friday, 810,000 have been Odysseys and 190,000 have been Pilot SUVs. Honda recently announced the Lincoln plant will become the sole producer of the Pilot to offset production displacement caused by increased demand for the popular Civic model in Canadian facilities.
