Honda announced plans May 16 to invest $615 million and increase employment by more than 1,900 to expand its North American automobile, engine and transmission production operations. According to the company's press release, with an investment of approximately $400 million and employment of more than 1,500 associates at full capacity, Honda plans to construct a new auto plant in the United States with an annual capacity of approximately 200,000 vehicles with production to begin in 2008. In conjunction with the increased vehicle production, Honda will also invest $140 million to expand engine production in North America with the construction of a new engine plant neighboring the existing Honda of Canada Manufacturing operations in Alliston, Ontario, Canada. The plant will begin production in 2008 with an annual capacity of approximately 200,000 four-cylinder engines for supplying to HCM-built vehicles. Investment in this facility will total $140 million with new employment of 340 associates. Honda of America will invest $75 million in the Anna Engine Plant in Anna, OH, to increase the number and types of engine parts it produces, including engine components currently supplied by plants in Japan. This expansion will include the creation of approximately 40 new jobs and construction of a new building on the same site as AEP. Production of the new components is targeted for 2008. Beginning in 2008, the Anna Engine Plant will also supply engine components for the new engine plant in Ontario, Canada, and complete engines for the new U.S. automobile plant.