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News

Honda Expands North Carolina ATV Operations with $9.7 Million Modernization Push

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Honda is doubling down on its powersports footprint in the American South. The automaker announced a $9.658 million investment to modernize its North Carolina Manufacturing (NCM) plant in Swepsonville—a facility already known as Honda’s exclusive North American hub for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) production.

The funding will go toward upgrading equipment, adding production capabilities, and creating 18 new jobs over the next five years. More importantly, it will enable Honda to bring several key ATV components in-house, including rear and front fenders, side covers, and other small but vital parts that were previously outsourced. The move signals a clear push toward greater vertical integration and manufacturing efficiency—two words that Honda’s U.S. operations have lived by since the early days of its American expansion.

Building More, Wasting Less

The plant upgrades will also bolster Honda’s sustainability goals. Alongside the added production capabilities, NCM will install a new plastic pelletizer, a system designed to recycle and reuse production scraps. Combined with new electrically powered equipment, the updates will help shrink the plant’s carbon footprint and reduce overall operating costs—an increasingly important consideration as automakers face tightening global emissions targets.

“By equipping Honda North Carolina Manufacturing with important new capabilities to build key parts for our products right here at the facility, we can continue growing our ATV business in North Carolina,” said Lynne Hedrick, site lead at NCM. She also noted that the investment would not only modernize the facility but also expand training and upskilling opportunities for Honda’s workforce, a recurring theme in the brand’s U.S. manufacturing philosophy.

A Local Legacy of Growth

Honda’s Swepsonville operation has come a long way since it first opened its doors in 1984, when it produced humble lawnmowers instead of trail-ready machines. In 2023, the plant entered a new chapter by officially adding ATV production to its lineup, becoming the exclusive North American source for models like the FourTrax and TRX sport series. Today, the 650,000-square-foot facility employs around 600 associates and represents a cumulative $395 million in capital investment.

Local officials are celebrating Honda’s renewed commitment to the region. “We are excited to see continued growth and innovation by companies whose legacy is firmly here in Alamance County,” said Ryan Moffitt, 2025 board chair for the Alamance Chamber. “Honda North Carolina Manufacturing is a fine example of investment in place that is furthering the future of business for our community.”

Strengthening the Powersports Backbone

Beyond the immediate boost to jobs and production, Honda’s latest investment underscores the company’s strategy to fortify its North American powersports supply chain. With ATV demand holding steady among both recreational riders and utility users, domestic production flexibility gives Honda an edge in cost control and responsiveness—a crucial factor as competitors like Polaris and Yamaha expand their own U.S. operations.

It’s also a symbolic statement: the same site that once built garden tools now produces machines meant to conquer mud, rock, and trail. The transition mirrors Honda’s broader evolution in North America, from a small engine manufacturer to a major player in both automotive and powersports manufacturing.

With this latest round of investment, Honda’s North Carolina plant isn’t just building ATVs—it’s building the future of American powersports manufacturing, one fender and side cover at a time.

Source: Honda America

Tuning

Honda S2000 BP25: Bulletproof Automotive’s Jaw-Dropping Tribute to a Legend

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It’s hard to believe that the Honda S2000 first leapt onto our roads more than twenty-five years ago. Yet here we are, decades later, and the little Japanese roadster still occupies a sacred place in every petrolhead’s heart—a car that sparks dreams, tuning projects, and obsessive scrolls through classifieds. Few machines from that golden era have aged with such dignity, and even fewer inspire the level of devotion we see today. Enter the BP25 from Bulletproof Automotive, a project that takes the S2000 and transforms it into something truly, painfully desirable.

This is not just a modified S2000. This is a rolling testament to everything enthusiasts love about Japanese engineering: precision, high-rev thrills, and a little bit of madness. Conceived as a celebration of Bulletproof Automotive’s 25th anniversary, the BP25 combines the best of respected Japanese tuning houses with the latest high-performance wizardry, culminating in a car that stole the spotlight at SEMA.

Looks that demand attention

The BP25 immediately announces itself as a Spoon-inspired hardtop coupe—a dramatic shift from the classic soft-top roadster silhouette. It wears a Varis Dark Panther carbon fiber bodykit, complete with reworked bumpers, flared fenders, aggressive intakes, and a rear wing so substantial it could double as a small aircraft stabilizer. Lamborghini Balloon White paint, gold graphics, exposed carbon fiber, and subtle red accents make the styling pop, while racing-style carbon-magnesium mirrors and custom LED taillights complete the picture.

Even the wheels are a statement. 19-inch BP-RW Evolution forged rims, inspired by traditional Japanese hammered metal techniques, shroud massive Brembo Pista brakes behind their high-grip rubber. The stance, aided by a Top Secret coilover setup and a cocktail of parts from J’s Racing, Roberuta, Spoon, EVS, and Hardrace, is sharp enough to slice through asphalt just by looking at it.

Heart of a beast

The engine bay is where dreams collide with reality. Bulletproof has taken the original 2.0-liter four-cylinder and paired it with a Vortech supercharger, producing a staggering 588 hp at 9,300 rpm and a redline stretching to 10,000 rpm. That’s right: ten thousand. Power flows through a reinforced six-speed manual and limited-slip differential, with a titanium Amuse exhaust manifold feeding a 70mm Euro dual exhaust system that sounds as feral as it looks.

Inside the cockpit

Step inside, and the BP25 proves it’s not just about straight-line terror. A Mugen steering wheel, Recaro RS-G racing seats with harnesses, ARC titanium shifter, and a horn button borrowed from the legendary NSX-R give the cabin a purposeful, track-ready feel. Alcantara upholstery with red stitching and a roll bar remind you that this is a car meant to be driven hard, not just admired in a garage.

A fitting tribute

Ben Schaffer, founder of Bulletproof Automotive, calls the BP25 “a tribute to the spirit that first defined the S2000.” And he’s not wrong. Every detail—from the carbon fiber accents to the screaming high-rev engine—honours the original’s DNA while injecting enough modern flair to make even seasoned enthusiasts gape.

In a world obsessed with SUVs and EVs, the BP25 is a reminder of what driving should feel like: visceral, exhilarating, and just a touch ridiculous. If the original S2000 was a mischievous grin, the BP25 is a full-blown roar. And somehow, even after twenty-five years, the dream isn’t over—it’s just gotten louder.

Source: Bulletproof Automotive

News

Honda Powers Through Market Shifts with Electrified Momentum in October

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American Honda isn’t letting the industry’s shifting sands slow it down. The automaker posted 111,095 U.S. sales in October, keeping its year-to-date (YTD) total up 3.6 percent compared to last year—thanks largely to a strong mix of refreshed models, red-hot crossovers, and record-setting hybrid demand.

Honda Brand: Million-Unit Milestone and Electrified Records

The Honda brand continues to be the engine behind the company’s momentum, logging 100,030 sales in October and pushing past the 1-million mark for the year—a milestone reached two months ahead of schedule.

That momentum is balanced across the lineup: cars, trucks, and hybrids all pulled their weight. Honda’s light trucks remained a juggernaut, notching a ninth straight month above 65,000 units, led by the CR-V (31,696 units) and the all-new Passport, which posted its best October ever at 4,717 units, up a staggering 85 percent year over year. TrailSport trims now account for over 80 percent of Passport sales, underscoring the market’s appetite for rugged styling and mild adventure cred.

Elsewhere in the lineup, the HR-V (11,129), Pilot (9,845), Ridgeline (4,086), and Odyssey (5,448) each delivered solid results despite tight inventory in parts of the country.

Passenger cars are showing surprising resilience, too. The Civic continues to dominate the compact segment with 17,907 units sold, over a third of which were hybrids. Meanwhile, the Accord—fresh from its latest redesign—sold 14,396 units, with 44 percent hybrid mix.

Altogether, Honda’s electrified lineup hit an all-time October record, with 30,471 units sold, accounting for 30.5 percent of brand volume. Not bad for a company still ramping up its EV strategy.

Acura: New Energy, Familiar Precision

On the premium side, Acura posted 11,065 sales in October, up 2 percent for the month and 2.2 percent YTD, surpassing 110,000 units so far in 2025.

The newcomer ADX—Acura’s gateway crossover—was the month’s breakout performer with a record 2,721 units sold, quickly grabbing a segment-leading share in the crowded premium compact SUV segment. Combined sales of ADX and Integra hit 4,600 units, proving Acura’s entry-level lineup is hitting its mark.

SUVs continue to be Acura’s bread and butter, with MDX and RDX combining for 5,784 sales—their best since May—bringing total SUV deliveries to 8,530 units for the month. Sedan sales topped 2,500, anchored by the Integra’s 1,879 units, its strongest showing since April.

Context: A Balanced Strategy Amid Market Headwinds

While many automakers have leaned heavily into trucks or cut sedans entirely, Honda’s diversified portfolio continues to pay dividends. Through October, American Honda’s truck sales are up 7.5 percent YTD, while car sales are down 4.8 percent—a manageable dip given broader market contraction in the sedan space.

That mix—along with the surging popularity of Honda’s hybrid models—has helped the automaker sustain growth even as consumer sentiment wavers and competition in the crossover segment intensifies.

Honda’s October results highlight a brand hitting a rare equilibrium: balancing efficiency and adventure, volume and variety. With hybrids setting records and new models like the Passport TrailSport and Acura ADX finding their footing, Honda enters the final stretch of 2025 with steady momentum—and a clear signal that its pragmatic path to electrification is resonating with buyers.

Source: Honda America