Honda Creates Jobs in South Carolina via Pioneer 1000s
Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) has announced the creation of 44 new jobs with an investment of $42 million at a production startup event for Honda’s newest, largest and most versatile side-by-side, the 2016 Pioneer 1000. Honda executives and associates were joined at the celebration of the new production model by South Carolina Lt. Governor Henry McMaster, community and government officials and other guests.
“The side-by-side market is growing rapidly and Honda is focused on adding new jobs and investment to meet the increasing customer demand,” said Brian Newman, president of Honda of South Carolina. “The new Pioneer 1000 will be the flagship offering in the largest and fastest-growing segment of the industry, and the 1,000 associates at Honda South Carolina are ready and excited to meet the challenge.”
Honda’s continued growth and investment in South Carolina is testament to its talented work force and is an example of the strong business climate in the state, South Carolina Lt. Governor Henry McMaster said at the event.
“Congratulations to Honda for creating 44 new jobs and continuing its investment in the people of Timmonsville,” said McMaster. “From all-terrain vehicles to side-by-sides, we’re extremely proud that Honda manufactures high-quality products in South Carolina. Today’s successful production startup of the all-new Honda Pioneer 1000 is testament to the achievements of our world-class workforce in this great state.”
Honda’s top North American executive also praised Honda of South Carolina’s associates for the successful launch of the groundbreaking Pioneer 1000.
“The ultimate heritage of any company is its people,” said Takuji Yamada, president of Honda North America. “I am excited to be here in South Carolina with associates representing Team Honda from across our many business divisions, including manufacturing, R&D and sales and marketing. The products that you are building in the Palmetto State today will set new benchmarks for our industry in the future.”
The Pioneer 1000 lineup is scheduled to be available in dealerships starting in October. The largest and most versatile side-by-side in Honda’s lineup to date, the class-leading Pioneer 1000 is produced exclusively at HSC. The Pioneer 1000 joins the Pioneer 700 and 500 as the flagship model for the product line built at HSC, which has been producing all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for 17 years for the North American market and for export to other regions.
About the Honda Pioneer 1000
The Honda Pioneer 1000 is built around a class-leading, purpose-built 999cc twin-cylinder Unicam engine and a fully automatic six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), and is a rugged, highly versatile, multipurpose side-by-side. The Pioneer 1000 is available in both three-person and five-person configurations. Learn more about the new Pioneer 1000 at http://powersports.honda.com.
About Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc.
HSC began production of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) in July 1998 with a workforce of approximately 200 associates. The initial $30 million, 200,000 square-foot ATV manufacturing plant was the beginning of Honda of South Carolina’s significant growth in Florence County. In fall 2000, operations expanded to add engine production to the plant.
Today, HSC employs 1,000 associates in its 655,480 square-foot facility that now represents $344 million in investment. With the flexibility to produce many different types of powersports products, using domestic and globally sourced parts, associates at the Timmonsville plant currently manufacture Honda ATVs and side-by-sides for the North American market, as well as exporting globally.
About Honda in North America
Honda established operations in America in 1959 and now employs more than 40,000 associates in its North American sales, R&D and manufacturing operations, with total capital investment in North America exceeding $22 billion. Based on its longstanding commitment to “build products close to the customer,” Honda began building powersports products in America in 1979 and now operates 16 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and transmissions, Honda all-terrain vehicles, power-equipment products, such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general-purpose engines, and the HondaJet advanced light jet.
Honda also operates 14 major research and development centers in the U.S., with the capacity to fully design, develop and engineer many of the products Honda produces in North America.