Since there was a choice, debates have raged about the benefits of buying a 'domestic' or 'import' vehicle.

In a rapidly global industry, domestic ownership is a distinction that is quickly becoming meaningless. And, in terms of the automotive industry, perhaps it always has been.

Honda is primarily Japanese-owned; DaimlerChrysler speaks now with a German accent and even GM was born and raised in the US. Not a Canadian in the bunch.

But, when a company invests almost $2 billion, 20 years, and the salaries of 4,300 local employees, it becomes an adopted child.

"We are a domestic," states Honda Canada Executive Vice President Jim Miller. "Eighty-five per cent of what we sell in North America is manufactured in North America. We don't view ourselves as an import.

"We are every bit as part of the North American fabric as GM, Ford or Daimler," he adds.

In Alliston, the material is pure Honda.

Currently manufacturing 390,000 vehicles per year (up from 40,000 in 1986), the two local plants are running at about 95 per cent capacity, confirms Miller.

Both vehicles produced in Alliston, the Civic and the new Ridgeline pickup truck, recently received top critical honours in their class.

"Awards are never expected," Miller says of the accolades that help reaffirm the corporate image to the consumer. "But they're nice to get."

The apparent success of the partnership between the local potato-producing area and the automotive giant has generated much talk of a possible third Honda plant, but Miller is quick to squash the buzz.

"We are very much committed to Alliston," he said, adding that the rumours, at this point, are just that.

"It depends on the marketplace."

In the meantime, Honda remains focused on its dedication to producing fuel-efficient vehicles with a reputation for dependability, quality and reliability.

The 2006 entry-level Honda Fit, which Miller calls a "mini minivan," is the latest addition to its product line. This new vehicle also offers Honda's trademarked ability to balance performance with economy.

With the price of gas, consumers "do tend to try smaller models," says Miller.

An added benefit of fuel-efficiency, as Honda has pioneered, is a vehicle lineup that is more environmentally friendly.

Demonstrating this leadership, were the 'green' awards that four Honda vehicles were given by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy.

Both the natural gas-powered Civic GX and the Insight hybrid were recognized as industry leaders. The Civic and the Civic Hybrid also made the top 12.

The move to vehicles that have a lower impact on the environment is slow but measurable.

"It's a slow shift but people are becoming aware," says Miller. "It's more and more of an issue. There is a cost to go green. It's a personal decision people have to make."

Honda's commitment to the environment extends to the buildings the cars are produced in, as well to the cars themselves.

The Alliston factories were among the first auto assembly plants to acquire ISO 14001 certification, a worldwide standard for environmental management.

These efforts were also recognized with a Platinum Award by the Recycling Council of Ontario. But, even with the time and energy going into environmental technology, Miller says the main corporate thrust is safety.

With Honda's 'Safety for Everyone' theme, improvements in safety for drivers, passengers and pedestrians will be seen by the end of 2006.

Items such as front-side airbags, with an occupant position-detection system, side-curtain airbags and anti-lock brakes will become standard on all but a few specialty vehicles.

These changes are in keeping with promises first made in 2003 to apply advanced safety technologies over the next several years, according to Honda's web site.

Also by the end of 2006, all Honda and Acura light-duty trucks, SUVs and minivans will be equipped with vehicle stability assist and rollover sensors for side curtain air-bag deployment.

Last year's Honda Odyssey minivan and Acura RL sedan were the first to incorporate a new body structure designed to enhance occupant protection, while minimizing damage to other vehicles. This technology will show up in other models in coming years.

Moving outside the car, future Honda models will benefit from the latest pedestrian-friendly body design that were developed with the help of POLAR II, a highly human-like crash-test dummy.

Models are already being seen with such safety features as hood hinges and wiper pivots.

These tests were carried out at Honda's state-of-the-art crash facility in Tochigi, Japan.

Imported technology benefiting the domestic market. End of debate.