Steel Markets
Honda Begins Production at New Mexican Plant
Written by Sandy Williams
February 25, 2014
Honda began production of the 2015 Honda Fit last week at its new Honda de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (HDM) plant, located in Celaya, Guanajuato. The plant will increase Honda’s annual automotive production capacity in North America to around 1.92 million units. Currently 90 percent of Hondas sold in the US are built in North America; Celaya production will boost that percentage to 95 percent when full capacity is reached.
The $800 million plant took two years to build, will employ 3,200 associates and have an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles and engines. An all-new compact SUV will be added to the production line later this year.
The Celaya plant will exclusively build sub-compact vehicles using advanced technologies that increase quality and efficiency while remaining environmentally sound.
The Celaya Auto Plant is the second plant for Honda de Mexico; the first is located near Guadalajara. HDMs current auto production capacity is 63,000 units annually.
Sandy Williams
Read more from Sandy WilliamsLatest in Steel Markets
CRU: Sheet import demand softens as domestic price gains have slowed
US domestic sheet price gains have begun to slow as previously pulled-forward demand has led to a decline in orders.
CMC looks beyond Arizona micro-mill woes to long-term viability of construction mart
Despite the economic and geopolitical upheaval of the last five years, CMC President and CEO Peter Matt points out that the construction market has been an essential element of the way forward.
US importers face stricter rules under revamped S232 tariffs
“CBP expects full compliance from the trade community for accurate reporting and payment of the additional duties. CBP will take enforcement action on non-compliance," the agency said in a March 7 bulletin.
Steel exports rebound in January
US steel exports recovered to a five-month high in January after having fallen to a two-year low in December. This growth follows four consecutive months of declining exports.
Construction spending drops marginally in January
Construction spending edged down slightly in January, slipping for the first time in four months. The US Census Bureau estimated spending at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,196 billion in January, down 0.2% from December’s downward revised rate. The January figure is 3.3% higher than a year ago. January’s result, despite the slight erosion, […]