Last week, Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) issued a statement informing employees of the proposal to close its Swindon vehicle manufacturing plant in 2021 — at the end of the current models’ production life-cycle. The plant currently produces some 160,000 cars per year and has around 3,500 employees.

The company (www.hondamanufacturing.co.uk) said this proposal comes as it accelerates its commitment to electrified cars, in response to unprecedented changes in the global automotive industry.

“The significant challenges of electrification will see Honda revise its global manufacturing operations and focus activity in regions where it expects to have high production volumes.

"Under this proposed restructure, HUM’s current role as a global manufacturing hub may no longer be viable.”

Consultation activity began on 19 February. HUM will be working closely with its workforce and the recognised trade union — Unite — over the months ahead.

Katsushi Inoue, chief officer for European regional operations at Honda Motor Co Ltd and president of Honda Motor Europe, said: “In light of the unprecedented changes that are affecting our industry, it is vital that we accelerate our electrification strategy and restructure our global operations accordingly.

"As a result, we have had to take this difficult decision to consult our workforce on how we might prepare our manufacturing network for the future. This has not been taken lightly, and we deeply regret how unsettling today’s announcement will be for our people.”

HUM director Jason Smith said: “We understand the impact this proposal will have on our associates, our wider supplier base and the local community. We are committed to supporting associates to help them through this difficult time.”

Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd was established in 1985 and started operations in 1986 (pre-delivery inspections); engine production began in 1989, and car production in 1992.

The cumulative car production to the end of 2018 was 3,507,862; in the 2018 calendar year, the company produced 160,075 cars.

The models currently produced are the Civic Hatchback and Civic Type R; these are exported to over 70 countries.