Honda Begins Building Its Next-Generation CR-V Hybrid In Canada, USA Assembly to Follow

Here’s a look at how North America emerged as Honda's global hub for hybrids.

Honda has built about 30 million cars, crossovers, trucks, minivans, and SUVs in America since 1981. As a percentage of sales, Honda is one of America’s most American-made car brands.

Honda doesn’t just build its vehicles inside the United States of America (America for short) using primary parts also made in America, Honda also builds key parts and systems in America for export. One new example of Honda’s extreme in-sourcing inside the USA is its CR-V Hybrid.

Honda is beginning its new generation of CR-V by building the CR-V Hybrid in Alliston, Ontario. If you are not a native of Ontario, let us tell out that Alliston is about 80 km from Toronto and about 230 miles from Detroit, Michigan, USA. Nearly all of Canada’s automobile production is a reasonable drive (or rail shipment) from Detroit or Buffalo, New York.

Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) will import its latest-generation super-efficient Atkinson-cycle engine for the CR-V from Honda’s Anna (Ohio) Engine Plant (AEP) and the Honda Transmission Plant in Russells Point, Ohio (TMP-O), which together are responsible for the all-new powertrain for the latest Honda electrified vehicle. Knowing the importance CR-V hybrid is set to play to our overall electrification strategy, this is a proud moment for the Honda of Canada Mfg. team as we lead the start of global production of CR-V hybrid,” said Clement D’Souza, senior vice president of HCM.

Although the new CR-V Hybrid will carry a Made In Canada note on its Monroney sticker, a closer look will reveal that what makes it special, its hybrid drivetrain, was built in the United States.

Related Story: Three Ways The All-New 2023 Hond CR-V Will Be Better In Snow

As Honda catches up with its production changeovers, Honda’s Indiana Auto Plant (IAP) and the East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) in Ohio, which produced the previous CR-V Hybrid, will begin production of the 2023 CR-V hybrid. Honda says that should begin in the coming months.

Departing from past trim hierarchy, the all-new 2023 Honda CR-V Sport and Sport Touring trims come standard with Honda’s new hybrid system. The powertrain features a more refined 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and Honda’s new fourth-generation two-motor hybrid-electric system, featuring a pair of electric motors now arranged side-by-side in a parallel axis layout.

“AEP associates have always supported the evolution of our business, and we are proud to be the sole provider of this engine to all three of our North American CR-V frame plants,” said AEP plant lead Rick Riggle. “The team has worked hard to prepare manufacturing lines across casting, machining, and assembly operations. This is an important step toward electrification for our company and our associates will be ready to meet the challenge.”

If you are an early adopter of the CR-V’s new 2023 model year, look closely at your Monroney sticker to see which of Honda’s two north American plants assembled your vehicle.

Honda employees assemble engines in Anna Ohio, image courtesy of Honda.

John Goreham is a long-time New England Motor Press Association member and recovering engineer. John's interest in EVs goes back to 1990 when he designed the thermal control system for an EV battery as part of an academic team. After earning his mechanical engineering degree, John completed a marketing program at Northeastern University and worked with automotive component manufacturers, in the semiconductor industry, and in biotech. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American news outlets and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on TikTok @ToknCars, on Twitter, and view his credentials at Linkedin

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