Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/561797
ATV/UTV Celebration starts Pioneer 1000 production 30 • September 17, 2015 • Powersports Business www.PowersportsBusiness.com New flagship UTV will be Honda's largest, most versatile Honda of South Carolina Mfg., Inc. (HSC) announced the creation of 44 new jobs with an investment of $42 million at a production startup event for Honda's newest, largest and most versatile side-by-side, the 2016 Pioneer 1000. Honda executives and associates were joined at the celebration of the new production model in Timmonsville, S.C., by South Caro- lina Lt. Governor Henry McMaster, community and government officials and other guests. "The side-by-side market is growing rap- idly, and Honda is focused on adding new jobs and investment to meet the increasing customer demand," said Brian Newman, presi- dent of Honda of South Carolina. "The new Pioneer 1000 will be the flagship offering in the largest and fastest-growing segment of the industry, and the 1,000 associates at Honda South Carolina are ready and excited to meet the challenge." Honda's continued growth and investment in South Carolina is testament to its talented work force and is an example of the strong business climate in the state, South Carolina Lt. Governor Henry McMaster said at the event. "Congratulations to Honda for creating 44 new jobs and continuing its investment in the people of Timmonsville," said McMaster. "From all-terrain vehicles to side-by-sides, we're extremely proud that Honda manufac- tures high-quality products in South Carolina. Today's successful production startup of the all-new Honda Pioneer 1000 is testament to the achievements of our world-class workforce in this great state." Honda's top North American executive also praised Honda of South Carolina's associates for the successful launch of the groundbreak- ing Pioneer 1000. "The ultimate heritage of any company is its people," said Takuji Yamada, president of Honda North America. "I am excited to be here in South Carolina with associates repre- senting Team Honda from across our many business divisions, including manufacturing, R&D and sales and marketing. The products that you are building in the Palmetto State today will set new benchmarks for our indus- try in the future." The Pioneer 1000 lineup is scheduled to be available in dealerships starting in October. The largest and most versatile side-by-side in Honda's lineup to date, the class-leading Pio- neer 1000 is produced exclusively at HSC. The Pioneer 1000 joins the Pioneer 700 and 500 as the flagship model for the product line built at HSC, which has been producing ATVs for 17 years for the North American market and for export to other regions. HSC began production of all-terrain vehi- cles in July 1998 with a workforce of approxi- mately 200 associates. The initial $30 million, 200,000-square-foot ATV manufacturing plant was the beginning of Honda of South Carolina's significant growth in Florence County. In fall 2000, operations expanded to add engine pro- duction to the plant. Today, HSC employs 1,000 associates in its 655,480-square-foot facility that now rep- resents $344 million in investment. With the flexibility to produce many different types of powersports products, using domestic and globally sourced parts, associates at the Tim- monsville plant currently manufacture Honda ATVs and side-by-sides for the North American market, as well as exporting globally. PSB The launch of the 2016 Honda Pioneer 1000 has added 44 new jobs to the factory at Honda of South Carolina in Timmonsville, S.C.