Thursday, October 30, 2008
Honda cuts production at UK plant
Car production is to be cut at Honda's Swindon plant due to the economic downturn. The Japanese car giant said annual manufacturing at the factory would be reduced by a further 10,000 units at the beginning of next year.
This is over and above the 22,000-vehicle reduction announced at the end of the summer and is equivalent to 11 non-production days at Swindon where Honda makes the Civic model as well as the CR-V 4x4.
However, the company said that there would be no job cuts as a result of the reduction which will be carried out between January and March 2009.
Also, Honda still intends to start production of its Jazz model at Swindon in autumn 2009 as planned.
Announcing the cut-back, Honda blamed the world economic conditions and a lack of consumer confidence for its decision to slash production. The manufacturer is the latest in a line of companies to announce production cuts.
Roger Maddison, national officer of Unite, said: "Honda is suffering the same as everybody else in the car business but they are not making lay offs, which is to be commended. Instead, they are holding on to skills and people for the time when the market turns up. We urge others in the sector to follow suit and take the same long term view."
DATED: 30.10.08
FEED: AW
