Honda to shut its U.K factory that manufactures the Civic Type R

MANILA: Honda has announced that it will close its Swindon-based manufacturing plant in 2021, once the production of the ongoing Civic Type R comes to an end. The company has further planned to evolve its EV strategy and revise its global car manufacturing operations while shifting focus to the regions where it can expect high volume productions.

The car manufacturing unit based in Swindon produces 150,000 vehicles annually including the Civic Type R. And moving to the dark side of the decision made by the company, it is said to affect around 3,500 workers.

The Honda Motor President and Chief Officer for Regional Operation of Europe, Katsushi Inoue said that in light of the unprecedented changes that have been affecting the company, Honda found it crucial to boost its electrification strategy and redesign its global operations.

The company took this decision in order to find out a way on how it may arrange a manufacturing channel for the future. He also admitted that the announcement would appear to be disturbing for its employees and regrets the outcome of such a scenario.

According to one of the sources, this move to shut down the plant is not related to Brexit. Takahiro Hachigo, Honda Chief Executive said, "We had to consider the rise of electrified vehicles and the different speeds at which electric vehicles will be taken up in North America and Europe. This decision was not informed by Brexit."

It is also reported that once Honda closes its U.K manufacturing unit, it will discontinue its operation in Turkey as well in 2021.

To recall, the company has set big plans for electrified cars and had also created an EV platform, which was first found in Urban EV Concept in 2017. It aims at bringing around two-thirds of its vehicles to feature electrified technology by 2030.

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