Honda Aircraft Company is to develop and produce a longer-range version of its HondaJet at its Greensboro facilities in North Carolina. The HondaJet 2600 Concept, an all-new light jet that was first introduced at the 2021 NBAA-BACE, is expected to gain type certification in 2028. The new product line will be offered alongside Honda's existing very light jet model, the HondaJet Elite II.

The OEM will invest $55.7 million in Guilford County for production of the HondaJet 2600, bringing its total investment in the state to over $335 million. It will establish production lines, focusing initially on the critical design phase and production readiness, requiring significant R&D resources.

“We are thrilled that North Carolina will be home to the new Honda light jet that represents the next chapter of our skyward mobility,” says Honda Aircraft president and CEO Hideto Yamasaki. “The state of North Carolina provides a rich talent pool and tremendous support from our local community, and having our facilities located right next to the Piedmont Triad International airport is an ideal location to develop and produce our new light jet.”

The HondaJet 2600 is designed to be the world's first light jet capable of non-stop transcontinental flight across the US, with a quiet and spacious cabin suited for long range travel and the ability to accommodate up to 11 occupants. The aircraft is also designed for single pilot operation. Commercialisation of the 2600 concept is set to create 280 jobs in the region.

“HondaJet's creation of nearly 300 good-paying jobs is yet another example of why CNBC named North Carolina as the number one state in the country to do business for the second year in a row,” says Governor Roy Cooper. “This decision shows our state's commitment to developing a skilled workforce, not only in the key industry of aerospace with a flagship brand like HondaJet, but in the entire advanced manufacturing arena.”

Honda Aircraft's project in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) approved by the state's Economic Investment Committee, and is contingent upon local participation from the City of Greensboro and Guilford County. Over the course of the 12 year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state's economy by $2.37 billion.

“HondaJet is one of our area's signature employers, and we're so pleased it has decided to expand in Greensboro,” says NC senator Michael Garrett. “The Triad is the beating heart of North Carolina's growing aviation industry, and we welcome this new investment in our region.”