SMMT News

Honda’s UK manufacturing history on show at SMMT

20 November 2012 #SMMT News

The latest exhibit on show at SMMT is a collection of vehicles from Honda, celebrating 20 years of the manufacturer’s operation in the UK.

Swindon is Honda’s flagship production facility in Europe and already manufactures Civic and CR-V models. In April, 500 new associates began working at the plant, bringing the total number of employees to 3,500.

In October, Honda confirmed that its Swindon manufacturing plant will be the base for production of two new models: the new Civic Type R and the all-new Civic Wagon model.

The model announcements followed Honda’s commitment of a £267 million investment programme in the facility to support the production of new Civic, new CR-V and a new 1.6 litre diesel engine.

By the end of 2012, production at the Swindon plant is forecast to have doubled on last year’s volumes, up to 183,000 units. Honda aims to increase that figure to 250,000 units per year, within three years.

The British-built models at SMMT include an Accord 2.0L ES, which was the very first car to roll off the production line at Honda of the UK Manufacturing in Swindon on 8 October 1992. Also on display is a new Civic 1.4SE, showcasing the latest product to be built at the plant. The ninth generation Civic is quieter, more refined and more efficient than ever.

Alongside the UK models, and to showcase Honda’s global heritage and engineering expertise, is a first generation 1970s Civic 1.3 Deluxe and a 1989 NSX. The latter is a pre-production car and the 22nd example to come off the line at the Takanezawa plant in Japan.

To find out more about UK automotive manufacturing, download Motor Industry Facts 2012.

Click through the slideshow below to see all the photos from SMMT’s exhibition space.

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