Taft IDs Van Wert as 1 of 2 sites to lure Honda

5/23/2006

EVENDALE, Ohio Gov. Bob Taft yesterday identified two sites where Ohio will try to persuade Honda Motor Co. to put its sixth North American auto plant.

The state is offering sites in Van Wert, about 100 miles southwest of Toledo, and in Octa, about 45 miles southwest of Columbus, Mr. Taft said.

Honda s the No. 1 auto employer in the state, Mr. Taft said during a visit to a General Electric Co. aircraft engines plant in suburban Cincinnati. We re going to do all we can.

Honda said last week it will build a $400 million plant in the Midwest as part of a $1.18 billion global expansion. It did not say which states are being considered.