Honda is expected to announce that its production facility in Swindon will shut in the next three years, according to several news reports.
The closure of the Wiltshire plant, which is the international home of Civic production, could be disclosed in a plan by the Japanese manufacturer as early as tomorrow morning, Sky News suggests.
Although it's yet to be confirmed by Honda, the move would be a huge blow for the Government’s hopes of the UK remaining an established manufacturing hub after Brexit, as well as the firm’s 3500-strong workforce in Swindon.
It's thought that the threat of import tariffs for European-made cars from Donald Trump’s administration is a significant factor in the plant’s future, because the US is one of the Civic's main markets. Other factors, including uncertainty over Brexit and the decline in demand for diesel vehicles, are thought to be impacting on the viability of the factory.
Join the debate
CarNut170
Is there a better reason to leave the EU?!
Honda would seem to be jumping the gun somewhat, no?
With us being within the EU, and the resultant US tarrifs, being the thing killing off the Swindon factory?
Cheltenhamshire
CarNut170 wrote:
No, it is Brexit killing it you dimwit.
Paul Dalgarno
Cheltenhamshire wrote:
This is very sad news if true. British manufacturing is in long term decline due to cost pressures.
Did you not read the article Chelthamshire? There are a number of important reasons given, and yes Brexit is one of them. No mention of declining sales, the styling launched in 2006 has led to sales 1/3 of the level from before - Honda dropped the ball, not enough people liked the devisive styling, so they should take blame for a huge proportion of the issue.
I'm pretty sure you wouldn't call anyone a Dimwit to their face, so maybe time you grew up eh?
Cé hé sin
Tariffs?
You're obviously assuming any tariffs (none have yet been announced) would not apply to the UK as well!
Sundym
I hope this is wrong
chris1969
Dyson on moved the registered
Dyson on moved the registered office and 2 people abroad. 3500 people will remain workingh in the UK
Sundym
chris1969 wrote:
Nope . Manufacturing on Singapore .
Thekrankis
Trump and Turkey in the same sentence.....
...may be a common combination but this time it’s Trumps tarrifs and Turkeys cheap Labour that are key factors. Probably been inevitable for a while now.
Mikey C
Not a massive surprise. IF
Not a massive surprise. IF the prospect of a hard Brexit was the main driver, surely they'd have waited until after the 29th March to make their announcement.
The EU/Japan trade agreement is clearly a major factor, but the terrible sales that Honda have in Europe surely are the biggest issue. If Honda had 10 years ago produced something as successful as the Qashqai and the factory was humming, things would be very different
xxxx
Honda failings
Perhaps, in Europe at least, they should concentrate on building decent looking cars that people want rather than looking for excuses to influence Goverment policy
typos1 - Just can’t respect opinion
Pages
Add your comment