Honda is celebrating 40 years of building cars, careers, and communities in Canada by donating to local charities across Simcoe County in Central Ontario.

Forty years ago, Honda opened its first plant in Alliston, Ontario, and started manufacturing vehicles in Canada. As the first Japanese automaker to build vehicles in Canada, Honda has invested over $6.5 billion in its Canadian operations and has produced more than 11 million vehicles, while supporting around 30,000 additional jobs across the automotive industry.

As Honda’s Canadian story began in Alliston, the community remains essential to Honda’s North American manufacturing strategy as the Japanese automaker continues to enhance its production capabilities and prepare for the future of automotive manufacturing. To celebrate generations of associates, Honda held tree-planting ceremonies at HCM and Honda Canada’s Markham campus. To date, Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) associates and their families have planted more than 80,000 trees and shrubs in Alliston.

HCM has also committed $4 million through the Honda Canada Foundation to support Stevenson Memorial Hospital’s redevelopment project, helping expand access to health-care services for local families and future generations. In addition, the Honda Canada Foundation is donating to local charities across Simcoe County to celebrate the 40th anniversary, including the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB), the Catholic Education Trust Fund of Simcoe County/Muskoka, Georgian Bay Forever, and Habitat for Humanity.

In 1986, HCM opened its first plant outside Japan with 175 associates. In 2025, HCM produced over 400,000 vehicles, including its 11 millionth vehicle in Canada. Each year, about 70% of Honda vehicles sold in Canada are produced in Alliston.