As Cars Go Electric, Honda Gases Up First New Mowers in 20 Years
- $46.4 million investment in U.S. comes as global losses mount
- Carmaker’s autonomous Miimo mower not gaining much traction
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Honda Motor Co. is racing toward an electric-powered and self-driving future for cars, but doubling down on gas-burning models for its U.S. lawn mower business.
The Japanese company is investing $46.4 million to expand a plant in Swepsonville, North Carolina, where it will begin producing its first new line of mowers in 20 years. Honda is counting on the next-generation HRN line of gasoline-powered mowers -- which boast 18% more torque but no improvement in fuel efficiency -- to turn around its money-losing global power equipment business.