The Honda Aircraft Co. is investing $55.7 million to establish new production lines at its facilities in Greensboro, North Carolina, according to a state release.
The added production lines will enable the American Honda Motor Co. subsidiary to manufacture a longer-range model of its signature HondaJet, the HondaJet 2600.
The manufacturer will focus first on the new model’s initial design phase and production readiness, which will require significant R&D resources, according to the release
Founded in 2006, Honda Aircraft Co. manufactures jet engine planes and is headquartered in Greensboro.
Its Greensboro site currently has a capacity for 80-100 aircraft, according to the Honda in America website. The plant expansion will create 280 jobs with an average salary of $88,761.
The manufacturer will focus first on the new model’s initial design phase and production readiness, which will require significant R&D resources, according to the release.
The expansion comes after the Honda Aircraft Co. announced it was commercializing the HondaJet 2600 last month, two years after it debuted at the National Business Aviation Association’s yearly convention and exhibition.
The HondaJet 2600 is designed for single-pilot operation, with capacity to fly nonstop transcontinental across the U.S. and accommodate up to 11 passengers. The HondaJet 2600 will also have 20% improved fuel efficiency over other light jets and 40% better than a mid-size jets.
“The commercialization of our new light jet represents Honda’s next chapter of skyward mobility, which further expands the potential of people’s lives,” Honda Aircraft Co. President and CEO Hideto Yamasaki said in the expansion announcement. “By building on the expertise behind our technological innovations, we will accelerate the development of the program with sustainability a key element throughout.”
Honda Aircraft’s headquarters is located at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro and spans 133 acres, which includes 680,000 square feet of facilities, the company told Manufacturing Dive in an email.
The company has continued to expand its production footprint over the last 17 years, now up to six facilities. In 2019, the company invested $15.5 million to add a 82,000-square-foot production support and service parts facility.
In addition to its headquarters and production support and service parts facilities, Honda Aircraft also has R&D, production, customer service and production and delivery support hangar facilities.
“We are thrilled that North Carolina will be home to the new Honda light jet that represents the next chapter of our skyward mobility,” Yamasaki said in a statement. “The state of North Carolina provides a rich talent pool and tremendous support from our local community and having our facilities located right next to the Piedmont Triad International Airport is an ideal location to develop and produce our new light jet.”