Acura and USA Bobsled/Skeleton Announce Official Premier Technology and Automotive Partnership

LAKE PLACID, NY (July 16, 2025) – USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS) today announced a multi-year Official Premier Technology and Official Automotive Partnership with American Honda, strengthening support for the organization’s world-class athletes through 2030. The collaboration brings together the elite performance of USA Bobsled and Skeleton athletes with the advanced engineering capabilities of the U.S.-based research and development (R&D) teams at Honda.

Acura, the premium performance division, will serve as the lead automotive brand associated with the partnership. Acura is known for combining cutting-edge technology with precision-crafted design, drawing upon a legacy of Honda engineering excellence to deliver innovation and performance. USABS sleds will feature Acura branding to highlight the shared commitment to speed, precision, and excellence.

Through this partnership, Honda R&D engineers based at the Honda Auto Development Center in Raymond, Ohio, will apply over 50 years of U.S.-based product development experience to support USABS athlete performance. The collaboration includes technical integration and data analysis, with a focus on maximizing aerodynamics, engineering optimization, and athlete-sled synergy.

Initial testing is already underway at the Honda Automotive Laboratories of Ohio (HALO), a state-of-the-art aeroacoustic wind tunnel located in East Liberty, Ohio. Opened in 2022, HALO offers world-class aerodynamic capabilities and will be central to evaluating airflow dynamics, sled design, and athlete positioning. This data will help ensure that USABS athletes and their equipment are primed for peak performance in national and international competition.

As a new Official Premier Technology Partner, Honda's support will span key international events, including World Cup and World Championship events. Honda engineers will utilize the same foundational approach they bring to automotive design: matching equipment to athletes, fine-tuning performance, and delivering innovation under extreme conditions.

“In this, our 50th year of R&D activities in America, we are proud to help the USA Bobsled and Skeleton athletes in their pursuit of gold,” shared Larry Geise, executive vice president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, LLC (HDMA), where he is the center lead of the company's North American Auto Development Center (ADC). “In sports where sleds can reach speeds of over 90 miles per hour and the difference between first and last can be measured in fractions of a second, our Honda engineers are eager to apply their engineering skills and racing background to the USABS programs.”

Athletes will also work directly with Honda engineers at the HALO facility to better understand their aerodynamic impact on sled dynamics and make real-time adjustments for optimal results.

“This partnership with Honda marks an exciting moment for USA Bobsled/Skeleton,” shared Aron McGuire, CEO of USABS. “Bringing together the precision, performance, and innovation of Honda’s U.S. based engineering teams with the athletic excellence of our bobsled and skeleton athletes will give the USA team a distinct edge on the world stage. With Acura leading the way as our official automotive brand, we’re proud to align with a company that shares our values of speed, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of excellence.”

"We are thrilled to welcome Honda to the USABS family, and we are grateful for the support of their U.S. engineers,” said Chris Fogt, Head Coach of the USA Bobsled Team. “Honda is a known leader in the racing world. We are already seeing how Honda will apply its resources and technologies to advance the training and performance of USABS and can’t wait to see the results.”

“A skeleton athlete's head, shoulders, arms, and leg positions are all imperative to aero and performance.  Time at Honda's HALO wind tunnel will provide valuable feedback to our athletes about their sliding positions to allow them to optimize their results,” shared Matt Antoine, Head Coach of the USA Skeleton Team. 

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About Honda Research & Development in America

Honda has been conducting research & development operations in America for 50 years, beginning with the establishment of a research facility in California in 1975. Today, Honda conducts R&D activities at 21 facilities across the country responsible for creating advanced products and technologies that provide new value to Honda and Acura customers. 

Honda conducts all facets of product development in the U.S., including market and technology research, product styling, engineering design, prototype fabrication and testing, collaboration with parts suppliers, and support for mass production. With major R&D facilities in California, Ohio, and North Carolina, U.S. Honda associates are engaged in the development and testing of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda powersports and power equipment products, and also play a lead role in the development of leading-edge safety, driver-assistive and environmental technologies. 

Honda in America

Honda started operations in the United States with American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in 1959. Today, Honda employs over 30,000 associates in America engaged in the development, manufacturing, sales and service support of Honda and Acura automobiles, Honda power equipment, Honda powersports and marine products, and the HondaJet advanced light jet.

Based on its longstanding commitment to build products close to the customer, Honda operates 12 major U.S. manufacturing facilities, working with 620 U.S. suppliers to produce a diverse range of Honda products using domestic and globally made parts. Honda has built automobiles in America for over 40 years, and in 2024, nearly two-thirds of all Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in America. Honda also conducts research and development activities at 23 facilities in America where we fully design, develop and engineer many of the products the company manufactures in America. Learn more with the Honda Digital FactBook.   

About Acura

Acura is a leading premium auto brand committed to delivering expressive styling, innovative engineering and engaging dynamics, all built on the brand's Precision Crafted Performance DNA. The Acura lineup consists of two sport sedans, the Integra and TLX, and four sport-utility vehicles, the first-ever ADX, RDX, MDX and all-electric ZDX. High-performance Type S variants further demonstrate the virtues of Acura Precision Crafted Performance. All Acura vehicles sold in 2024 were built in America, using domestic and globally sourced parts. More information about Acura is available here: https://acuranews.com/en-US.  

About USA Bobsled/Skeleton

USA Bobsled/Skeleton (USABS) is the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sports of bobsled and skeleton in the United States, representing Team USA on the world stage. Headquartered in Lake Placid, NY, USABS is dedicated to developing and supporting American athletes at all levels, from grassroots programs to elite international competition. Through world-class training, innovation, and a commitment to excellence, USABS strives to uphold the rich tradition of American success in sliding sports while fostering the next generation of world-class athletes. Learn more at USABS.com.