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Honda celebrates 40 years of building cars, careers, and communities

November 12, 2026   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

Honda of Canada Mfg., a division of Honda Canada Inc., is celebrating 40 years of manufacturing in Canada.

The Alliston Honda plant first saw shovels in the ground in 1984. In 1986, the plant opened, and it has had a huge impact on both Alliston and surrounding towns.

After expanding over the years, the plant now occupies 890 acres on the south side of town and has produced more than 11 million vehicles.

As the first Japanese automaker to build vehicles in Canada, Honda has invested $6.5 billion in its Canadian operations, growing to become the country’s second-largest auto manufacturer by production volume and an employer of 4,200 active associates.

The economic impact of Honda extends well beyond Alliston. The company sources $3 billion in goods and services through Canadian suppliers each year and supports 30,000 spin-off jobs across the automotive sector.

“For four decades, Honda has invested billions in Canadian manufacturing, while demonstrating corporate citizenship that values its people, supports its communities and invests for the long term,” said Dave Jamieson, president and CEO of Honda Canada. 

“The road hasn’t always been easy, but the through change and uncertainty, Honda’s commitment to Canada and its people has been a foundation of its success, strengthened by generations of associates and partners who have stood by the company. Thank you to everyone who has shared in that journey, and happy 40th anniversary.”

When the plant first opened, it had 175 employees who started producing the Honda Accord. The plant began production of the Honda Civic in 1988.

In 1998, Plant 2 opened as the launch plant for Honda’s full-size Odyssey minivan. Currently, the facility occupies around 4 million square feet and has the capacity to produce more than 400,000 vehicles annually.

In 2011, the Honda CR-V was added to the production line.

“Our associates have been instrumental in Honda’s manufacturing success story in Canada, helping build Honda into a global manufacturing leader,” said Bobbi Curran, vice president of Honda Canada Mfg. “As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, Alliston remains essential to Honda’s North American manufacturing strategy as we continue to enhance our production capabilities and prepare for the future of automotive manufacturing.”

Honda in Alliston has a reputation for being a good place to work. The company treats its employees well, and the plant is clean and bright.

Employee Mary Maika has been with Honda for 28 years and loves her job.

“I love it here,” Mary said of working at Honda. “I like it because of the opportunities that were provided to me. It’s a blank canvas when you start here and you can decide how you want to drive your own career. You’re given the opportunities and if you take advantage of them, they are there for you.”

Mary has been in several positions over the years during her employment at Honda.

“We have a really strong foundation here at Honda so everyone understands what their roles are and how to request support,” Mary said. “We’re always given the support we need.”

Honda in Alliston produces two of Honda’s best-selling vehicles — the Honda Civic and the CR-V.

Honda Canada Mfg. produced its 11 millionth vehicle in 2025.

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