Honda Aircraft Co., a subsidiary of Honda Motor Co. that plans to build HA-420 regional business jet (HondaJet) at a plant in Greensboro, N.C., now intends to build a Maintenance Repair and Overhaul center there for its planes. With an initial investment of $20 million the MRO center will push the total capital investment at the site over $120 million.
Honda Aircraft was established in 2006, intending to produce business jets according to its prototype design by 2010. A joint venture of Honda Aircraft and GE Aerospace had been founded in 2004; it will produce engines for the jets. The production program was delayed several times, and the first jet deliveries are expected now in 2013.
The new MRO plant will be adjacent to the HondaJet plant at the Greensboro Piedmont Triad International Airport. Honda Aircraft has leased 54 acres there for the new plant, bringing its total space to more than 130 acres. The design of the new, 80,000-ft2 MRO plant will be finalized in the second quarter of 2012 and construction will begin in the first half of 2013.
Honda Aircraft said MRO services available to HondaJet owners would complement the services available at HondaJet dealers in North America and Europe. This will include heavy maintenance services like repair or overhaul work.
"We intend to offer HondaJet customers an overall ownership experience that is second to none in business aviation and one that is commensurate with all the best attributes of Honda," stated Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino, president and CEO.
"After a rigorous evaluation of various site alternatives, we concluded that we could best serve our customers and complement HondaJet dealer service facilities by placing our MRO facility here in North Carolina, where we are delighted to begin writing this next chapter of our growth," he said.
