Honda Motor Co., Japan's first automaker to build cars in the U.S., is consolidating corporate operations for North America in Ohio and also setting up a new unit there to provide regional support services. Honda North America Inc., now based in Torrance, Calif., moves to Marysville, Ohio, from April 1, the company said Friday in an emailed statement. About 50 employees, including senior executives from Torrance, will relocate to Marysville as a result, said Jeffrey Smith, a spokesman for the Tokyo-based carmaker. Torrance will remain Honda's U.S. sales and marketing base. "These organizational changes will improve the speed of decision-making and the efficiency of our business operations," Tetsuo Iwamura, Honda's executive vice president and chief operating officer for North America, said in a statement. Iwamura will split his time among Marysville, Torrance and Tokyo, Smith said. Honda, Japan's third-largest automaker, counts North America as its biggest global market and largest source of profit and sales. The company's Marysville factory was the first Japanese auto-assembly plant in the U.S., beginning auto production in 1982. Honda has set a goal of becoming a net exporter of cars and trucks from North America as production operations in the region grow. The company is also creating Honda North America Services LLC in Marysville to coordinate support functions for Honda's individual companies in the region. The changes won't result in additional employment at this time, Smith said. Honda Motor's North American corporate unit shifting to Ohio | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com