The end of an era for Honda in Britain…
by Kim Henson.
This morning it has been confirmed by Honda that the company will be closing its Swindon plant in 2021, with the loss of approximately 3,500 jobs. This devastating news for those involved, and in the supply chain, and of course in the local economy in the Swindon area, amounts to one of the saddest ever days in the history of car production in the U.K.
The Honda plant at Swindon – the only one in Britain and indeed in the EU – was set up in the late 1980s, and in recent times has produced more than 150,000 Civics annually, with over 90 per cent of production being exported.
Reasons given for the decision to close the plant are cited as being due to worldwide changes in the motor industry, and the need to develop electric vehicles (with more challenging emissions targets coming to the fore). The company has also specifically stated that the closure is NOT due to ‘Brexit’ aspects.
More details of the closure will emerge in due course.