LINCOLN, Alabama – Honda's Talladega County plant today is celebrating the start of mass production for the 2016 Pilot SUV, a redesigned model that will figure prominently into the Japanese automaker's light truck growth strategy.

"We couldn't be more excited and more confident in the capabilities of this vehicle," said John Mendel, executive vice president for American Honda Motor Co.

Mendel, speaking Wednesday during a conference call with reporters, said Honda's Alabama workers are seasoned truck builders.

The redesigned Pilot, he added, will set new bars for safety, fuel efficiency and family friendliness, among other features.

"We think customers are going to love this new one," he said.

The Pilot accounts for a little more than a third of the total output at Honda's $2 billion, 4,000-worker Alabama plant, which also produces the Odyssey minivan and Acura MDX SUV. Next year, the Ridgeline pickup will return to the lineup after a temporary shelving for retooling.

The new Pilot is lighter, longer and sleeker than its predecessor. It is expected to begin arriving on dealer lots next month.

Pricing starts at about $30,000. The city/highway fuel economy ranges from 19/27 for the base model to 19/26 for the top-of-the-line Elite edition.

Read more about the updated model.

During the past three years, Honda's Alabama plant has announced new investments of more than $508 million for projects to improve flexibility, enhance quality and increase production.

That total includes $71 million for a highly-automated engine assembly line, which Honda officially opened last month.

Also in the past three years, the plant has added more than 450 jobs.

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