Though Simpler, Prep for U.S.-Made Cars Creates Jobs Too

Although not as lengthy, the transportation of Japanese cars from assembly lines in U.S.-based plants closely resembles that of the imports.

Like the trips taken by their “cousins” from Japan, the hauling of American Honda’s cars generates a considerable number of jobs despite its simplicity.

American Honda, based in Marysville, Ohio, produces the Honda Accord Coupe and the Honda Civic. All other Honda vehicles are shipped from Japan on steamships designed to haul cars.

At the Marysville plant, cars are first sprayed with the same wax-based coating that covers cars shipped from Japan and are then loaded onto trains or trucks that take them to the storage compounds to await pick-up by dealers.

Haney said the substance, known as Cosmoline, is sprayed on all Honda cars, although it is usually used to protect imported cars from the corrosive, salt-tainted air swirling about car-carrying ships and seaports.

Conrail, which handles transportation duties for American Honda, ships the cars to 31 railheads around the country, including Portland, Ore., and Los Angeles.

Ryder Systems, one of the biggest trucking companies in the country, then inspects and takes the cars from the rail yards directly to the dealers.

Dave Haney, senior manager of distribution at Honda, said of the transportation process of both the domestic and imported Hondas: “They are creating good jobs for people. There is a lot of U.S. labor involved. It’s not like on ‘Star Trek.’ We can’t just beam our products out to the dealers. Someone has to take them there.”

He added that some Honda cars are also trucked to Marysville.