Honda sets up aircraft-manufacturing unit in North Carolina
Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 07:12 EDT
TOKYO — Honda Motor Co announced Tuesday that it has established a wholly-owned subsidiary, Honda Aircraft Co, which will be responsible for the further development, sales promotion and production of the HondaJet. The automaker said it hopes to have the first jet completed by 2010.
Honda Aircraft Co will be based at Piedmont Triad International Airport, where the prototype HondaJet was assembled and flight tests have been carried out for the past three years. Honda said it will begin taking orders for the jet this fall. Honda Aircraft Co will also manage Honda's new alliance with Piper Aircraft Inc, with which it is working together on sales and service.