Minister Paradis Welcomes the Canadian Production of Honda's 2012 CR-V in Alliston

ALLISTON, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2012) - The Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, made the following statement welcoming the news that Honda of Canada Manufacturing will begin mass production of the fourth-generation Honda CR-V in Alliston, Ontario:

"The Government of Canada welcomes the news that Honda of Canada Manufacturing has chosen its Alliston plant to manufacture the 2012 Honda CR-V. We are proud that Ontario will now be home to Honda's top two best-selling Canadian vehicles, the Civic and CR-V.

"The automotive industry is an essential part of the Canadian economy, and Honda is a key contributor in this regard. The decision to manufacture these two great vehicles here is a testament to the company's confidence in Canada as a competitive auto manufacturing country. It also demonstrates that Canada continues to put in place the right conditions for automotive investment, thereby creating jobs and growing our economy.

"I offer my whole-hearted congratulations to Honda and its associates, and thank them for their continued support of the Canadian auto industry."

In 1986, Honda of Canada Manufacturing opened its Alliston plant, becoming the first Japanese company to produce automobiles in Canada; this is the first time the CR-V will be produced here.