Honda Ends U.S. Motorcycle Production

Honda Motor Co. plans to stop making motorcycles in the United States next year and transfer the work to Japan, thus pulling the plug on its first U. S. Plant. I hate to hear of any company transferring to another country because it is bad for the United States. Their Marysville, Ohio plant, built in 1979, turns out the large Gold Wing touring and VTX cruiser motorcycles. The work will be shifted to a plant in Japan that can produce bikes more efficiently. What does that say for us in this country? It is not good. The Ohio plant employs 450 workers. At least Honda said there will be no layoffs when production ends in spring 2009 because emploees will remain with the company. They will help produce cars, trucks, engines and parts and fill other jobs at Honda's operations in west-central Ohio. Thanks heavens for that. I would hate to see another 450 people out of work.