Honda Confirms It Will Close UK Plant in 2021
Honda has officially confirmed it will close its factory in Swindon, England, by 2021, resulting in the loss of 3,500 jobs. “It is with a heavy heart that today we confirm the closure of Honda’s factory in Swindon,” said director of Honda UK Jason Smith.
“We understand the impact this decision has on our associates, suppliers and the wider community. We are committed to continuing to support them throughout the next phases of the consultation process.”
Honda had announced its plans to close the Swindon plant in February, as the possibility of a no-deal Brexit continued to loom. However, it also hired consultants to explore alternative options to save the plant, though it eventually decided that none were viable.
While Honda claims it will close the plant to focus on the growing electric car market outside of the UK, industry experts believe Brexit played an important role in the automaker’s decision — as a briefing given by Honda itself seems to have suggested last year, according to The Guardian.
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The automaker and many of its competitors were vocal about the negative impact a no-deal Brexit would have on the automotive industry, which relies on the frictionless import of parts from the rest of Europe.
The Swindon plant currently produces 150,000 cars a year and its closure represents the first in the manufacturer’s 71-year history.
Honda says there will be no loss of production or jobs before the plant closes in 2021, and will distribute associate redundancy packages as well as work with a Swindon Task Force set up by Secretary of State Greg Clark to help minimize the impact of its decision on the community.
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News Sources: Honda, The Guardian
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