Honda Motor Co and American Honda Motor Co have opened a Florida Marine Office at the company’s existing research and development test facility in Grant-Valkaria. The office brings global and regional staff together near US boatbuilders, dealers and customers.
Honda says the hub will connect market information with product planning, rigging development, procurement, application engineering, testing and validation. Its priorities include support for boatbuilders, adoption of large outboards and faster delivery of technical and field solutions.
“By connecting our company’s global engineering expertise with real-world insight from within Florida, we can accelerate rigging and validation work, strengthen our large-outboard capabilities and respond more quickly to the changing needs of the US market,” said Josh Matthews, director of Honda Marine Division.
Engine testing
The 11,000sq ft waterfront facility has operated since December 2008. It has supported market research, engine testing, software design and data acquisition for Honda outboards from 2.3hp to 350hp.
The majority of outboards sold in the US are evaluated at the facility for fuel efficiency, throttle response and reliability.
The initial team comprises existing Florida-based R&D staff, associates assigned from Japan and two new Honda Power Sports & Products positions.
Go Tanaka and Chad Nere will lead product planning, field engineering and development. Sales and service operations remain in Alpharetta, Georgia.
Tanaka and Nere said co-locating global and regional resources would shorten the path from insight on the water to practical solutions for boat builders, dealers and customers”.
The facility received LEED Gold certification in 2010. Honda will assess future space and operational requirements as the office develops.
