Honda Studies Options for Expansion in U.S.

Honda Motor Co. will decide this year whether to add a sixth North American auto assembly plant or enlarge an existing one to meet growing demand.

Honda is approaching full capacity at its Marysville and East Liberty, Ohio, plants, and at factories in Canada, Lincoln, Ala., and Mexico, said Koichi Kondo, Honda’s North American chief executive.

Honda sold 1.46 million autos in the U.S. in 2005, its best year in its largest market. The company forecasts a 4% gain this year to 1.51 million with new or redesigned models.