Honda to build new jet in North Carolina

WILMINGTON, North Carolina, Feb 9, 2007; Reuters reported that Honda Aircraft Co. Inc. will build its new light jet, the HondaJet, at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina, Gov. Michael Easley's office said on Friday.

The Honda Motor Co. Ltd. subsidiary will invest up to $100 million over the next five years to build an aircraft manufacturing plant and expand the Greensboro operation it established in August to oversee production, certification, sales and service of the aircraft, Easley said.

He described the HondaJet as a lightweight private business jet with unique construction that makes it more fuel-efficient and less costly to operate than similar aircraft on the market. Honda said it planned to begin delivery of the aircraft in 2010.

North Carolina agreed to give Honda Aircraft up to $6.68 million in tax benefits over the next 12 years. The company employs 50 workers at its Greensboro headquarters and plans to add 283 more to design and build the plane, at an average annual salary of around $70,000 a year, which is almost double the local average, the governor said.