Honda will reportedly announce the closure of its Swindon car manufacturing facility in 2022, a move that will see approximately 3,500 employees lose their jobs, the BBC reports. The Japanese automaker produced 160,000 units of the Honda Civic in Swindon last year, and over 90% of which were exported to Europe.
While an official announcement has yet to be made, a UK member of parliament, Justin Tomlinson said he had spoken to Honda, which confirmed it was consulting with ‘all staff’.”There is not expected to be any job losses, or changes in production until 2021,” Tomlinson said.
The Unite union said the reports, if confirmed, would be a “shattering body blow,” with officer Des Quinn saying “the car industry in the UK over the last two decades has been the jewel in the crown for the manufacturing sector – and now it has been brought low by the chaotic Brexit uncertainty created by the rigid approach adopted by prime minister Theresa May.”
Des Quinn added that despite having a “grave” impact on workers and their families, the plant closure “will also affect thousands of jobs in the extensive supply chain across the country.” A spokesman for UK prime minister Theresa May said it was “only right that we wait until the company has spoken with the workforce” before commenting.
Martin Huggins, a Honda worker for 25 years said “we haven’t heard anything at all – all we have seen is what is on our phones. The management have told us nothing at all. This will be a sad day for Swindon as a whole, not just the workers but all the subsidiary companies that go with it.”
The Guardian report states that Honda workers in Swindon are furious, and at the same time fearful of their future. They blamed Brexit for the likely closure of the plant, with one worker leaving the plant saying the atmosphere inside (the plant) was “clearly not very happy.”
The person, who like most workers absorbing the news did not wish to be named, has been with the company for 24 years. He, who also blamed Brexit for Honda’s decision to close the plant, had voted for the UK to remain in the EU. Another man asked how he felt as he left the site replied: “Devastated. That’s all I can say.”
Honda’s Swindon plant is situated on a former airfield and produces both VTEC turbo petrol engines and diesel i-DTEC engines. Honda bought the site in 1985 and established Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) to inspect vehicles pre-delivery. In 1989, the operations expanded to producing engines, and three years later a car plant was added, which began producing the Honda Accord.
Since then, the site began producing the Jazz, CR-V, Civic and Civic Type R. A second Honda plant opened in Swindon in 2001, raising production capacity to 250,000 a year. However, production has dwindled and is currently running at about half its capacity, further contributing to uncertainties surrounding its future.
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In the end, economics will rule business decisions. Governments, including local ones must be responsible to eke out new economic opportunities for their constituents and citizens.
On the contrary of Brexit, the change of regime here saw new highs in FDI and consumer confidence. More new economic opportunities and zero corruption at Lth and felda ,
You read too much PH propaganda again. The ground sentiments in reality is far different and far dire. FDIs is at an all time low and going lower. Even Dyson prefer to built their cars in expensive Singapore! Furthermore things are getting more expensive and salaries aren’t rising or worse; facing job losses. PH diehards can try in vain to hide it, but the reality is reflected by the anger shown in Semenyih. People are just sick and tired and they had enough nonsense from PH.
Dyson chose singapore because malaysians are lazy. That is the result of 60 years of corruption and dedak
What about Indonesia & Thailand whom have longer and bigger history of corruption and dedak? Your logic train was so easily derailed from the get go.
Dyson chosen Singapore because of our change in government. Had we stayed with BN, Dyson car assembly would easily be ours.
Since mid 2018, Honda sales super stronk. No 2 in MY, so Pagoh plant running nonstop.
Abesla UK! With just one wrong vote, this is what happen. Just like Malaysia now. Both countries intertwined and sharing the same fate from a wrong decision made.
The jewel of UK car industry used to be British brands. Now even JLR is looking to be rescued once more. How saddening.
Malaysia economy now improving with zero corruption and good governance now. 60 years of corruption really damaged the country badly
“Good governance” have caused many automakers running to Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, heck even Singapore. If that is due to your “good governance”, then please bring back the old governance where investors were happy doing business and helping to bring up the economy.
UK economy collapsed deep recession no problem as long as Brexit…
Copy paste edited for local context: “the Malaysian economy over the last two decades has been the jewel in the crown for the ASEAN region – and now it has been brought low by the chaotic PH era of government uncertainty created by the cash is everything approach adopted by prime minister Tun M.”
A spokesman for prime minister Tun M said it was “only right that we wait until the country is truly bankrupt” before commenting.”
Hahaha! Gud one bro!
Replying to own dupe. Hahaha!
#maslanbingung.gif
Those who have been long enough here know john has many names here. And he like to create conversations
And just because you do it yourself, you assume others would do the same? Why so frustrated? Lol
From the times of Sam Loo until now, john always make very strange comments one
you are right, he answers his own dupe. So funny
Copy paste: “I find your credibility… disturbing.”
we all know john and his 20 dupes here…..clap clap clap
Lolwhut? Accusing others of what you did? …clap clap clap. Well done!
Remember, john is the one that likes his own post 20000 times when people here dislike his post
Kunta with many dupes since olden days but giving same crappy comments
Some said this is due to British GLC mentality. I agree.