Honda's Alliston Plant Celebrates 40 Years as Civic Claims Best-Selling Car Title Again

The Honda Civic claimed the title of Canada's best-selling passenger car for 2025, marking the 26th time in 28 years. This achievement reflects the quality and precision that comes from Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM) in Alliston, Ontario. The same plant that's been building Civics since 1988 also produces the Honda CR-V, which finished 2025 as Canada's most popular hybrid vehicle. Together, these two models demonstrate decades of Canadian manufacturing excellence.

As HCM prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026, the connection between local manufacturing quality and market success has never been clearer. With 31,054 Civics and 55,987 CR-Vs sold in 2025, these vehicles prove that Canadian-built quality resonates with Canadian drivers.

The Alliston Advantage: Four Decades of Manufacturing Leadership

Honda of Canada Mfg. opened its doors in November 1986, making Honda the first Japanese automobile manufacturer to establish production in Canada. The facility started with the Honda Accord and has since evolved into a manufacturing powerhouse that plays a key role in Honda's North American operations.

Today, HCM operates two manufacturing facilities in Alliston spanning 890 acres and approximately 4 million square feet. The plant employs 4,200 skilled associates who produce over 400,000 vehicles annually. HCM has earned numerous designations throughout its history, including being named the global lead plant for the Honda Civic in 2015. Currently, it serves as the global lead plant for the sixth-generation Honda CR-V.

The plant's flexible manufacturing capabilities allow it to produce vehicles with different powertrains, sizes, and classes on the same assembly line. This includes today's hybrid and internal combustion models built side-by-side, demonstrating the adaptability that has made HCM Canada's second-largest auto manufacturer by production volume.

Civic: Canada's Car, Built in Canada

The Honda Civic has been built at HCM longer than any other Honda plant currently producing the model worldwide. Over 6 million Civics have rolled off the Alliston assembly line since production began in 1988. This longevity speaks to both the plant's expertise and the model's enduring popularity with Canadian drivers.

The 2025 sales results reinforce the Civic's status as "Canada's Car." With 31,054 units sold, including sedans, hatchbacks, and hybrids, the Civic secured its position as the best-selling passenger car in Canada for the 26th time in 28 years. The model has been part of Honda's lineup since 1973, with approximately 2.3 million sold in Canada over that time.

The current 11th-generation Civic lineup includes four trim levels: LX (sedan only), Sport, Sport Hybrid, and Sport Touring Hybrid. The hybrid models feature Honda's fourth-generation two-motor hybrid system, delivering 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque while achieving fuel economy ratings as low as 4.7 L/100 km in the city for the Civic Sedan Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid.

CR-V: Leading the Hybrid Revolution from Alliston

The Honda CR-V's 2025 performance was equally strong. A total of 55,987 CR-Vs were sold, with 35,325 of those being hybrid models. This made the CR-V Hybrid Canada's most popular hybrid-electric vehicle for the year. The CR-V is Honda's best-selling and most popular model in North America, with over 15 million units sold globally since its introduction in 1995.

HCM serves as both the global lead plant for manufacturing the CR-V and the North America lead plant for the CR-V Hybrid. This designation reflects the plant's expertise in producing hybrid vehicles at scale while maintaining the quality standards Honda is known for.

The 2026 CR-V lineup includes six trims: LX, Sport, Sport Hybrid, the new TrailSport Hybrid, EX-L Hybrid, and Touring Hybrid. The hybrid models feature a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder engine paired with Honda's two-motor hybrid system, producing 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy ratings range from 6.0 to 6.3 L/100 km city, depending on the trim.

The Economic Impact of Local Manufacturing

HCM's presence in Alliston extends far beyond the factory walls. The plant sources more than $3 billion in goods and services annually from Honda's Canadian supplier network. This creates an estimated 30,000 additional spin-off jobs across the automotive sector, supporting communities throughout Ontario and beyond.

Honda Canada has invested over $21 billion in Canada since operations began. This dedication to Canadian manufacturing means that approximately 69% of all Honda vehicles sold in Canada are proudly built in Canada. This localization strategy supports Canadian jobs and ensures that vehicles are built for the specific needs and preferences of Canadian drivers.

The plant's flexible manufacturing capabilities allow it to respond quickly to market demands. In October 2025, HCM celebrated producing its 11 millionth vehicle—a Rallye Red 2026 Honda Civic Hybrid. This milestone built on the 10 millionth vehicle achievement in 2023 and came just ahead of the plant's 40th anniversary in 2026.

Quality That Drives Sales Success

The connection between HCM's manufacturing quality and Honda's sales success is direct. Every Civic and CR-V that leaves the Alliston facilities carries the dedication to excellence of HCM's 4,200 associates. This focus on quality is reflected in the vehicles' reliability, safety features, and overall ownership experience.

Hybrid-electric models of the Civic, CR-V, and Accord made up 43% of Honda Canada's total sales in 2025, demonstrating the success of Honda's electrification strategy. The fact that these hybrid models are built in Canada, using Canadian expertise and supporting Canadian jobs, adds another dimension to their appeal for Canadian buyers.

The sales achievements of 2025 validate the decision Honda made nearly four decades ago to invest in Canadian manufacturing. As HCM prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026, the plant continues to demonstrate that local manufacturing quality drives customer trust and loyalty.

Looking Ahead: 40 Years and Beyond

As Honda of Canada Mfg. approaches its 40th anniversary in 2026, the plant's role in Honda's global manufacturing network continues to grow. The facility's designation as the global lead plant for the CR-V and its long history of Civic production position it as a key player in Honda's future plans.

The plant's ability to produce both internal combustion and hybrid vehicles on the same assembly line provides flexibility as the automotive industry continues its transition toward electrification. This adaptability, combined with the skilled workforce and established supplier network, ensures that HCM will continue to play a vital role in Honda's North American operations for decades to come.

The 2025 sales results for the Civic and CR-V demonstrate that Canadian-built quality resonates with Canadian drivers. As these vehicles continue to lead their segments, they carry with them the pride and precision of the 4,200 associates who build them in Alliston, Ontario.

Experience Honda Quality at Lallier Honda Hull

The Honda Civic and CR-V demonstrate four decades of Canadian manufacturing excellence. Built with precision at Honda of Canada Mfg. in Alliston, Ontario, these models combine quality and reliability with the pride of local production.

Visit Lallier Honda Hull in Hull to explore the full lineup of Canadian-built Honda vehicles. Our team can show you why the Civic and CR-V continue to be trusted by drivers across Quebec and throughout Canada.