JAPANESE AUTO INVESTMENT IN OHIO

On 2026-09-22, Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) delivered a floor speech titled "JAPANESE AUTO INVESTMENT IN OHIO" in the Senate.

JAPANESE AUTO INVESTMENT IN OHIO

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 150 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 150 (Tuesday, September 22, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S4854] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] JAPANESE AUTO INVESTMENT IN OHIO Mr. HUSTED. Mr. President, Ohio's relationship with Japanese- brand automakers is perhaps the oldest and most significant in the entire country. When Honda chose our State for automotive manufacturing operations in 1982, no one could have imagined what that would lead to. It has grown into an over $15 billion commitment, and Honda directly employs over 15,000 Ohioans. This investment has had great impact on the communities of central and southwest Ohio. Honda's plants in Marysville, East Liberty, Anna, and Russells Point support the production of hundreds of thousands of vehicles, engines, and transmissions. The company also has a decades-long research and development presence in the State, helping cement Ohio as a leading destination for automotive research and testing. Honda continues to expand with the start of mass production of lithium-ion battery cells for energy storage systems at its L-H Battery facility in Jeffersonville, OH. In addition, a joint venture with Korean battery maker LG Energy Solutions represents another $4.4 billion investment in Ohio. Honda's Ohio operations also have a profound impact on Ohio's workforce and education initiatives. The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association's (JAMA) workforce development white paper highlights Honda's 20-plus-year partnership with The Ohio State University, which connects engineering research with manufacturing, as well as training programs in robotics, automation, and quality. Honda also supports earn-and-learn programs, co-ops, scholarships, and technical curricula through community colleges and training centers. Honda's long-term commitment to Ohio is evident through its community engagement, including charitable giving, driving safety campaigns, and sustainability initiatives. As JAMA marks 50 years representing Japanese-brand automakers in Washington DC, Ohio's experience shows how foreign direct investment, paired with a long-term vision and commitment, can strengthen manufacturing communities while driving automotive innovation. ____________________