According to Trump, Honda appears to be making a strategic move with its popular Civic model—though the exact nature of that move remains shrouded in corporate secrecy and political posturing.
During his recent address to Congress, President Donald Trump boldly declared that Honda was “just announcing a new plant in Indiana, one of the largest anywhere in the world.” Trump framed this as evidence of an impending automotive industry boom, linking it directly to his tariff policies and electoral victory.
There’s just one small problem: Honda hasn’t actually announced any such thing.
NBC fact-checkers quickly labeled Trump’s statement as “mostly false.” The reality, as is often the case, is considerably more nuanced than presidential rhetoric might suggest.
What appears to be happening, according to Reuters reporting cited in the text, is that Honda is contemplating shifting production of its next-generation Civic hybrid from a planned facility in Guanajuato, Mexico, to its existing plant in Greensburg, Indiana. This potential production shift would reportedly begin in 2028 and could produce around 210,000 vehicles annually.
The reported production shift appears to be directly related to Trump’s tariff policies. On March 4th, 2024, the administration implemented 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, ostensibly to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking. For Honda, moving production of one of its most popular models to avoid these tariffs would be a logical business decision.
This scenario perfectly illustrates the uncertainty facing global manufacturers as they attempt to navigate the rapidly evolving economic landscape shaped by Trump’s presidency. Shifting large-scale production operations isn’t a simple matter—it involves significant logistical challenges and long-term planning.
When confronted with the Reuters report, Honda maintained a position of corporate inscrutability. A Honda spokesperson stated plainly: “Honda has made no such announcement and will not comment on this report.”
The automaker did acknowledge that the Civic has been produced at their Indiana Auto Plant since it opened in 2008, noting their “longstanding approach to build products close to the customer” and their “flexibility to produce products in each region based on customer needs and market conditions.”
Meanwhile, Indiana Governor Mike Braun played his cards close to the vest, neither confirming nor denying the reports. “I’m not going to confirm that, because I want to make sure it’s out there at the time when they’re wanting to make it official,” Braun stated, while indicating he would welcome such investment in his state.
What seems most likely is not that Honda is building an entirely new manufacturing plant in Indiana as Trump suggested, but rather that they’re considering shifting or expanding production at their existing Greensburg facility to include the next-generation Civic hybrid that was previously slated for Mexican production.
So, are Honda going to make the new Civic in Indiana? The most accurate answer right now is: probably yes, but not in the way Trump described it, and Honda isn’t officially confirming anything yet.
The company already produces the Civic in Indiana and has done so since 2008. The reporting suggests they may expand that production to include the next-generation Civic hybrid, previously intended for Mexican production, as a direct response to Trump’s tariff policies.
What’s not happening, at least according to all available evidence, is the construction of a massive new Honda plant in Indiana. Trump’s characterisation appears to have significantly embellished the reality of Honda’s potential production adjustments.
For now, like a car enthusiast awaiting the unveiling of next year’s models, we’ll have to wait for Honda’s official announcement to know exactly what’s in store for the Civic’s American manufacturing future.
