OREANDA-NEWS. Honda honored more than 100 automotive parts suppliers in North America for outstanding performance in 2013 at its 30th Supplier Conference last week, and announced that Honda has purchased more than USD 300 billion in parts and materials from its more than 650 suppliers in North America during the 35 years since Honda began building products in the region.

The purchasing milestone came on the heels of record Honda auto production and parts purchasing last year in a region where Honda manufacturing continues on a growth trajectory. In 2013, Honda manufactured a record 1.78 million automobiles in North America as parts purchasing in the region exceeded USD 25.5 billion for the year, the most ever.

"Over the next three years, Honda will continue to transform our business, advancing technology in products and manufacturing in North America to maximize joy for the customer," said Chitoshi Yokota, senior executive vice president of Honda North America, Inc. "Together, Honda and our suppliers can support Honda's goal to become a truly global company by becoming a truly self-reliant regional company here in North America."

Today, more than 650 domestic OEM suppliers ship parts to 14 major manufacturing facilities in North America, producing a wide range of Honda and Acura automobiles, automobile engines and transmissions, and Honda all-terrain vehicles. Utilizing a separate supply chain, Honda also manufactures power equipment products such as lawn mowers, mini-tillers and general purpose engines in North Carolina. Honda has invested USD 2.7 billion in recent years to expand auto production capacity and implement new technologies.

In addition to supporting increased production, suppliers are being called on to support Honda's new responsibilities in the region to increase exports and lead the launch of global products, such as the Civic, that Honda manufactures in markets around the world.

"With significant growth in our production over the next three years, driven by heavy new model activity in North America, we will continue to collaborate with suppliers to deliver leading edge technologies and the highest quality products," said Tom Lake, vice president of North American Purchasing and Cost Strategy.