In 1979, Japanese automotive manufacturer Honda made history.

They hired 55 Americans and 11 Japanese workers for their first-ever motorcycle plant on US soil, expanding to build a car plant in 1982.

Honda chose rural Marysville, Ohio, just a three-hour drive but a world away from the gritty, industrial US motor heartland of Detroit.

Marysville had little in the way of large manufacturing. It was fertile ground for the plans of the then Ohio governor to bring foreign car makers that could bring jobs and progress.

Since then, Japanese automakers have become deeply embedded in the US economy.

In the past four decades, Japanese car companies have invested roughly $51 billion across 28 US states. Last year, they employed some 1.6 million Americans through an ecosystem of satellite industries, according to the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). Of all the vehicles made using American auto parts, Honda accounts for six of the top ten "most American" cars, according to auto sales website Cars.com.

Marysville, once a quaint town with one high school, one Dairy Queen and a drive-through restaurant, has grown to have a population of more than 24,000 people in 2019 compared to about 7,000 in 1980.

Honda now counts more than 15,000 associates and over 134 suppliers across Ohio.

A clock showing the time in Ohio, California and Japan hangs in the Heritage Center in Marysville. Honda Motor chose Marysville owing to the friendly and hardworking locals, presence of a testing track at the Transport Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio, and a favorable investment climate.
A clock showing the time in Ohio, California and Japan hangs in the Heritage Center in Marysville. Honda Motor chose Marysville owing to the friendly and hardworking locals, presence of a testing track at the Transport Research Center in East Liberty, Ohio, and a favorable investment climate.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Neil Vining was one of the 64 original hires at Honda's first motorcycle plant in Marysville. He is now a chief engineer. He says it's Honda's work culture, which challenges workers to keep growing, that made him want to stay. "Mr. Honda believed ordinary people could do extraordinary things," Vining said.
Neil Vining was one of the 64 original hires at Honda's first motorcycle plant in Marysville. He is now a chief engineer. He says it's Honda's work culture, which challenges workers to keep growing, that made him want to stay. "Mr. Honda believed ordinary people could do extraordinary things," Vining said.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Workers at Honda learn the "Honda Way" -- an engineering and management ethic that emphasizes efficiency and constant innovation.
Workers at Honda learn the "Honda Way" -- an engineering and management ethic that emphasizes efficiency and constant innovation.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
New Honda employees are called "associates." The titles aim to stress equality and collapse hierarchies between workers.
New Honda employees are called "associates." The titles aim to stress equality and collapse hierarchies between workers.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Associates gather for a pre-shift meeting. Everyone at Honda dresses in white.
Associates gather for a pre-shift meeting. Everyone at Honda dresses in white.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Associates abide by Honda's strict production standards, making sure they spot and call out any defects along the assembly line.
Associates abide by Honda's strict production standards, making sure they spot and call out any defects along the assembly line.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Japanese associates eat lunch at the Honda plant. The cafeteria's options include Japanese cuisine. Over the decades, local businesses in Ohio have expanded to cater to the Japanese population.
Japanese associates eat lunch at the Honda plant. The cafeteria's options include Japanese cuisine. Over the decades, local businesses in Ohio have expanded to cater to the Japanese population.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Josie Marshall works on the bumpers of a car. In 2018, Honda produced its <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhondanews.com%2Freleases%2Fhonda-builds-its-25-millionth-automobile-in-the-u-s" target="_blank" target="_blank">25 millionth US-made car.</a>
Josie Marshall works on the bumpers of a car. In 2018, Honda produced its 25 millionth US-made car.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Honda now has 5 plants in Ohio. The company makes products that include cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, lawn mowers.
Honda now has 5 plants in Ohio. The company makes products that include cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, motorcycles, lawn mowers.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN
Around the Honda plant, 64 trees were planted to represent the company's 64 original hires in Marysville. Over the decades, Honda Motor has embedded itself in Ohio and now counts more than 15,000 associates and over 134 suppliers.
Around the Honda plant, 64 trees were planted to represent the company's 64 original hires in Marysville. Over the decades, Honda Motor has embedded itself in Ohio and now counts more than 15,000 associates and over 134 suppliers.
Maddie McGarvey for CNN