Voters choose the ‘Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina’

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The Honda Talon is taking the title of Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina back home to Timmonsville.

More than 218,000 votes were cast in the third annual Manufacturing Madness competition, which started with 166 nominated products made by manufacturers from every corner of the state, according to the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance.

The Talon is an all-terrain vehicle made by American Honda Motor Co. Inc. in Florence County.

“Congratulations to the team that produces the Honda Talon for earning the title of the Coolest Thing Made in South Carolina,” Sara Hazzard, president and CEO of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, said in a news release. “This recognition not only showcases one of South Carolina’s world-class companies but also celebrates our state’s robust manufacturing industry and skilled workforce.”

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. South Carolina Manufacturing began operations in Timmonsville in 1998. As the global source for all Honda side-by-side vehicles, the facility has produced 3.8 million power sports products over the last 25 years and employs 1,000 associates, the release stated.

The other finalists recognized in a ceremony today that included Gov. Henry McMaster were  Gallo’s High Noon Sun Sips, made in Fort Lawn; Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.’s fire suppression sprinklers, manufactured in Liberty; and GE HealthCare’s Signa Hero MRI Scanner, made in Florence.

The contest this year was presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.

Created by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, the Manufacturing Madness: The Coolest Thing Made in SC contest debuted in 2022. The F-16 Fighting Falcon made by Lockheed Martin in Greenville won the contest in 2023, and steel made by Nucor Steel Berkeley in Huger won the inaugural contest in 2022.