The East Liberty plant became the lead plant in global production of the CR-V in 2016.[2] Engineers working in the plant are responsible for providing the first set of hard-tooled parts and complete body unit builds for nine other CR-V plants around the world to follow and replicate. The team have to perfect the parts and manufacturing processes. The plant's 200,000-square-foot welding shop was expanded and underwent a makeover with 200 new robots. The plant began to produce the 2017 CR-V in November 2016. The East Liberty plant exports vehicles to many countries including: Saudi Arabia, Korea and Russia.[2]