Honda has announced £80 million investment in its Swindon plant, upgrading the paint shop and plastics operation, taking total investment in Swindon to £1.38 billion. It includes £16 million for casting diesel engine blocks, a process only Honda Japan has undertaken to date.
The announcement comes as the two millionth Honda leaves the Swindon production lines. Operations began 22 years ago and today the plant produces nearly 240,000 cars a year. Seventy per cent of Honda’s UK-built CR-V and Civic models are destined for export markets – over 60 worldwide.
“This is a testament to the quality and commitment of 5,000 associates at Swindon and the quality of our component suppliers in the UK and abroad,” said Ken Kier, senior vice president of Honda Motor Europe.
“Swindon will continue to be the heart of our European manufacturing operations in the future,” he added.
Honda announced the news last night at an exclusive preview of the new Accord in Covent Garden, London. The Accord will be launched to the media at the Geneva motor show in March and is the first Honda product to be Euro 5 emissions compliant.
Good news for Swindon follows last month’s announcement of up to 800 new jobs to support a third production shift at Nissan Sunderland. The boost for jobs comes on the back of the success of the Qashqai model, made in the north east.
“We’re delighted with Honda’s announcement,” added Paul Everitt, chief executive of the SMMT. “Once again a highly-skilled British workforce has shown it can hold its own and that UK car making is alive and well.”
Pictured: New Honda Accord
