New Honda SUT Light Truck to Be Made in Canada

All Odyssey Production Shifting to South to Alabama in Fall

Honda has chosen Alliston, Ontario, the Japanese automaker's Canadian Odyssey minivan production facility, as the

Honda has chosen its Alliston, Ontario production facility for the upcoming SUT sport utility pickup (concept SUT shown). (Photo: Honda Canada)

plant for its new SUT sport utility pickup. That's the good news. The bad news, for Alliston workers at least, is that all Odyssey production will be moved south of the border to Lincoln, Alabama this fall.

Why could this be potentially bad news? The Odyssey is a proven seller, near the top of its class. The SUT is a niche product at best, not expected to sell in anywhere near the numbers of the practical minivan, which

Alliston will give up the proven Odyssey minivan to gamble on the success of a new vehicle type for Honda (concept SUT shown). (Photo: Honda Canada)

incidentally will get a thorough upgrade this fall and most likely improve its position in the market.

The Canadian plant will retain the two other light truck models being built there, including the Acura MDX and Honda Pilot. The latter model will also be produced in Alabama, making it the only light truck being dual-sourced by Honda.

According to Koki Hirashima, President of Honda of America Mfg. (HAM), Honda will benefit from the added flexibility between the two plants.