I just read in a automotive trade mag that the current s2000/nsx factory will close soon & operations will move to Honda's Suzuka plant.

 

that was reported a few weeks ago

 

Will they continue to hand assemble the S at the Suzuka factory?

 

All the more reasons I love my s2000... Built right in the Tochigi factory.

 

The question is this! What is going to be made a thte special factory now??? Maybe a new nsx

 

The factory will be closed, so I've read. I don't believe they will be making cars there.

I do hope the S2000 as well as the NSX will continue to be hand assembled at the Suzuka factory.

One day I'd like to have the new NSX as part of my stable!

 

Tochigi is not closing. While the NSX and S2000 production is being moved to Suzuka, the NSX and S2000 will be made on a separate line that will be installed just for these two cars. They should still be hand assembled, it's just a new home for the cars. The reason why production is being moved is to save money. They have to ship the engines from a plant that is very close to the Suzuka plant. Not to mention the other materials and distribution. Honda is looking to save money by consolidating that. Back to Tochigi, it is not closing. This is where their R&D center is, and moving the NSX and S2000 will allow them to expands their R&D center.

All of this was from a press release.

 

lanbrown,

Thanks for the clarification.

 

The exact wording:
"July 2, 2003 - Honda announced yesterday that the company would be transferring the production of its low-volume auto models, including the Insight, to its Suzuka factory starting in mid-2004. Domestic sales have been declining for Honda as the automaker's lineup has been aging, and Bloomberg reports the Tochigi plant will now focus on research and development alongside Honda R&D Co., which is also based in Tochigi. This move will also mean that the Insight, NSX and S2000 will have their bodies, engines and transmissions built in one centralized location. According to Honda, the transfer of low-production vehicles from the Takanezawa plant to the Suzuka plant is taking place in order to increase efficiency, and the decision will also allow the company to cut costs while increasing its R&D efforts. We also couldn't help wondering if the projected inclusion of the Insight in this move should be taken as an indication the car will continue beyond MY 2004."
http://www.insightcentral.net/

Another article:
http://waw.wardsauto.com/ar/auto_tochigi_closing/
"Honda Motor Co. Ltd. will close one of its three assembly plants in Japan next year, turning the facility into a manufacturing research center.

The assembly line and responsibility for three niche vehicles ? the S2000, Insight and Acura NSX ? will move from the facility in Tochigi to Honda's plant in Suzuka.

The Tochigi plant will become a ?new model center? where production processes for new vehicles are developed. The plant will report to Honda R&D, also based in Tochigi.

Suzuka was built in 1960 as Honda prepared to enter the automobile industry, and today has a capacity of 800,000 vehicles and more than 8,100 employees. It tends to build Honda's small cars such as the Civic, Fit and Step Wagon.

Tochigi was opened in 1990, and its 1,100 employees have been making niche models, including electric cars. No layoffs are anticipated, a spokesman says."

http://www.diginfo.co.jp/newsflash/automot...1-20030701.html
"Honda to move entire production of limited production vehicles to Suzuka
The company will also transfer all of the functions of Honda Engineering to its Tochigi plant."


An earlier thread about this:
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...threadid=138597