LINCOLN, Ala. (AP) — Gov. Robert Bentley is joining Honda officials in Lincoln to celebrate the start of production for the 2014 Acura MDX sports utility vehicle.

A spokesman for the governor said the ceremony Thursday morning comes after Honda invested $400 million and hired more than 400 people to support the production of the MDX.

Honda announced in 2011 that it would move production of the MDX from its Canadian plant in Alliston, Ontario, to Alabama.

A model of the 2014 MDX debuted at the New York International Auto Show in March. Honda says the new model is more aerodynamic and features a new 3.5-liter V-6 engine.