Honda will close its plant in Swindon, its only EU-based factory, in 2021. The plant builds 3,500 cars annually, employing 160,000 people. The Japanese automotive has also announced the closure of its plant in Turkey. It attributed its decision to global industry challenges and a need to prioritise investment in electric vehicles, as demand for diesel cars drops and emissions regulations become more stringent. Honda's move follows a trade agreement between the EU and Japan which removed tariffs on car exports, limiting the justification for not repatriating manufacturing to Japan. The carmaker said its decision was not related to Brexit.
Honda will close its plant in Swindon, its only EU-based factory, in 2021. The plant builds 160,000 cars annually, employing 3,500 people. The Japanese automotive has also announced the closure of its plant in Turkey. It attributed its decision to global industry challenges and a need to prioritise investment in electric vehicles, as demand for diesel cars drops and emissions regulations become more stringent. Honda's move follows a trade agreement between the EU and Japan which removed tariffs on car exports, limiting the justification for not repatriating manufacturing to Japan. The carmaker said its decision was not related to Brexit.