2023 Acura Integra goes into production in Ohio

• Acura says most vehicles built will come with a manual transmission

• The Marysville plant has been building Honda and Acura models since 1982

• The first units will be used to train workers

Acura announced that the first units of the 2023 Integra will roll off the Ohio assembly line today.

The 2023 Integra is a more luxurious version of the Honda Civic Si and replaces the ILX as Acura’s entry-level model.

The Integra name had not been used since 2001 in North America and the last generation model, especially the Type-R version, is still revered by many enthusiasts.

Only time will tell if this new Integra lives up to its granddaddy’s reputation, but at least Acura says most of the orders it currently has are for vehicles with manual transmissions.

Indeed, the manufacturer claims that almost 70% of the current savings are for the top versions equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. A CVT is also offered, but it seems that few buyers are interested in it, which has not been seen in a long time for a compact sedan.

If the manual transmission continues to be popular after the initial batch of orders are filled, it could encourage Acura and Honda to offer more vehicles with this type of transmission.

The start of production also marks the first time the Integra has been built in the United States, with previous generations having all been built in Japan.

The Honda-Acura plant in Marysville, Ohio was chosen to manufacture the new Integra and, to ensure the highest quality, the automaker said the first units built will be used to train workers in the use of a “virtual education system”.