​Honda News Advisory The News: On Thursday, Sept. 10, Honda of America Mfg. will celebrate 30 years of manufacturing in Ohio with a ceremonial tree planting symbolizing the company’s deep roots in Ohio and commitment to our neighboring communities. Time: 1:15 p.m. EDT, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009 (Plan to arrive by 1 p.m. for parking and arrival to the ceremony site.) Background: On Sept. 10, 1979, 64 associates began producing a small dirt bike in Marysville. The startup was so successful that Honda quickly announced plans to build an adjacent auto plant. The first Japanese auto plant in America, the Marysville Auto Plant started producing Honda Accords in November 1982. Over the past 30 years, Honda plants in Ohio have produced more than 13 million automobiles, 17 million engines, 1 million motorcycles, 2 million all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and nearly 13 million automatic transmissions. Success at producing the Honda Accord and other models that followed demonstrated that American associates could build top-quality products, and set Honda’s course for growth in Ohio and the rest of North America. Today, Honda’s North American factories produce more than 80% of the automobiles that the company sells in America. This advisory… is useable for a news story now. News Release: At the time of the media event Thursday, we will email you a news release that will include an announcement that Honda is making at the tree-planting. Join Us on Thursday: Interviews will be available following the ceremony. Location: Marysville Auto Plant, 24000 Honda Parkway, on Rt. 33 about 8 miles west of Marysville, Ohio. Enter at Gate B.