Lincoln factory gets its biggest Line 1 overhaul since 2001 as Honda shifts U.S. production toward hybrids
By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Honda’s Alabama Auto Plant in Lincoln is getting one of the most significant renovations in its 25-year history as the automaker pivots toward hybrid vehicles.
In a Nov. 9 announcement, Honda said it will expand engine production at the Talladega County plant to build a new V6 hybrid engine and upgrade Line 1, its original assembly line, so it can also build the Passport SUV. The Passport is now built only on the plant’s Line 2. Honda called the work “one of the most significant renovations of Line 1 since the plant began production in 2001.”
The Alabama upgrades are part of a broader U.S. push that includes a new $3 billion auto plant in Ohio and investments in Georgia, according to Honda.
Honda’s announcement did not include a dollar figure for Alabama. But in July, the Talladega County Commission approved a 10-year tax abatement worth about $11.2 million for a $472 million expansion at the Lincoln plant, the Sylacauga News reported. Commission documents said the project would add about 200 jobs by its projected completion in July 2029 and increase engine plant capacity and model flexibility.
The investment is welcome news for Alabama’s auto industry, which includes Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, Mercedes-Benz near Tuscaloosa and Hyundai in Montgomery, along with dozens of parts suppliers across North Alabama.
For workers, the shift to hybrids could mean demand for new skills in engine assembly and electrical systems. Honda’s Georgia transmission plant already supplies 10-speed automatic transmissions for vehicles built in Alabama and Ohio, the company said.
Job seekers can find openings at Honda’s Alabama operations through the company’s careers website.