Honda establishes a dedicated marine office in Florida
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 new operation places global and regional engineering staff closer to US boatbuilders, dealers and end users.
The office will connect market feedback with product planning, rigging development, procurement, application engineering, testing and validation. Honda says support for larger outboards and faster technical response are among the priorities.
Existing waterfront test facility becomes a development hub
The 11,000-square-foot waterfront site has operated since 2008 and has supported engine testing, market research, software development and data acquisition. Honda evaluates outboards from 2.3hp to 350hp at the facility for areas including fuel efficiency, throttle response and reliability.
The initial team combines existing Florida R&D staff, personnel assigned from Japan and additional Honda Power Sports & Products positions. Go Tanaka and Chad Nere will lead product planning, field engineering and development.
Large-outboard growth demands closer builder integration
As outboards move into higher horsepower and more complex multi-engine installations, builders need closer coordination around rigging, controls, software and vessel integration. A local engineering office can reduce the time between an issue appearing on the water and a tested production solution.
Sales and service operations will remain in Alpharetta, Georgia, while the Florida office focuses on engineering and development. For yacht tenders, chase boats and larger recreational craft, the facility gives Honda a stronger base for adapting products to demanding US applications.