Honda launches new generation Civic into mass production in Alliston, Ont.

The first 2016 Honda Civic has been unveiled at Plant 1 of Honda of Canada Mfg., in Alliston, Ont.

The 10th generation Civic, which the company called the “most ambitious” remake in the 43-year history of the model, has entered mass production, and will go on sale globally later this year. It also marks a distinct milestone for Honda Canada Inc. and the Alliston, Ont. plant.

A 2016 Honda Civic in production at Plant 1 of Honda’s Alliston facility. Photo courtesy of Honda

“For the first time in Honda’s history, the lead plant for a new global model was located outside Japan,” Dan Smith, president of Honda of Canada Mfg., said at the launch ceremony on Oct. 20. “The civic is Honda’s highest-volume global car and it’s built in eight countries. Honda Motor put their trust in the North American regional team to lead this development and manufacturing challenge.”

The unveiling of the new Civic comes just under one year since the company announced its two-year, $857 million investment into the facility to accommodate the new model. The investment includes an $85.7 million contribution from the province.

In addition to being the first plant in the world to launch the 2016 Civic into mass production, the Ontario facility will be responsible for developing the processes and tooling that will form the manufacturing base at all Civic plants around the world.

Between Plant 1 and Plant 2, which builds Honda CR-Vs, the Alliston facility can produce 400,000 vehicles annually, as well as 260,000 four-cylinder engines at its adjacent engine plant. The three plants have a combined footprint of more than 376,000 square-metres on Honda’s 760-acre property.

Approximately 75 per cent of the Civics produced at the facility are shipped to the U.S., 23 per cent are sold in Canada, and the remaining 2 per cent go to the Latin American market.

The Civic has been Canada’s best-selling passenger car for 17 years.

“Civic is a vehicle that Canadians have grown to trust. This tenth generation model will continue to set a new benchmark in the compact class with fun-to-drive performance, fuel efficiency and safety performance, together with a new level of refinement,” Jerry Chenkin, president and CEO, Honda Canada Inc. said in a statement. “Canadians can also take pride in knowing that every Civic coupe, sedan and Si model sold in Canada is made right here in Ontario, for Canadians, by Canadians.”