COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Honda will build a new version of the Acura NSX sports car in Ohio with plans to have it on the market within three years, the automaker announced Monday as it introduced its concept of the vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The NSX was last built in 2005 in Japan, where it had been manufactured since 1990.
A "unique and new manufacturing operation" will be used to build the car near Honda's current central Ohio operations in Marysville and East Liberty, said Honda of America Manufacturing spokesman Ron Lietzke. The automaker will also develop the car in central Ohio, at the Center of Honda R&D Americas Inc. in Raymond.
Honda says the new NSX "supercar" will feature a lightweight chassis, a mid-mounted V-6 engine, a dual-clutch transmission and what Acura calls its new Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive system.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown's office said he attended a meeting in Detroit on Monday with Honda officials and the company plans to build a new factory to make the NSX. Lietzke said Honda is not confirming it will build a new factory but will announce details later.
"Honda and its Ohio suppliers employ more than 10,000 Ohioans, and the plants are vital economic anchors in Ohio communities," Brown said in a statement.
"Just a few years ago, the entire auto industry was in jeopardy. While Honda didn't require assistance, the company supported providing help to its competitors. ... Today, instead of seeing layoffs, we're seeing new jobs and new investments in Ohio auto facilities."
Honda opened its first U.S. auto plant in 1982 in Marysville. It now also has a manufacturing plant in East Liberty, an engine plant in Anna and an automatic-transmissions plant in Russells Point, as well as the R&D site in Raymond.
About 13,500 Ohioans work for Honda.