The first shipment of British built Honda Civics destined for Japan, is due to set sail from Southampton today (2 October). A total of 150 of the high performance Civic Type-Rs will leave for Japanese showrooms, the first of 5,000 destined for Honda’s home market in the next 12 months.
The second phase of Honda’s UK export drive starts in December with the first Civic 3 door exports to the US and Canada followed by shipments of Honda’s new CR-V four-wheel drive model in spring 2002.
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Once Honda’s export drive is in full swing, a total of 200,000 vehicles, worth £2 billion will leave Britain for markets around the world, taking 80% of Swindon’s total annual capacity of 250,000 cars.
Commenting on the first exports to Japan, Ken Keir, Managing Director of Honda UK said: “This export strategy represents Honda’s response to the rapidly changing business environment in Europe. Three key factors had to be achieved to meet the requirements for Japan – quality, price and production flexibility. Swindon has met all of these and can confidently take its place as part of Honda’s global supply network.
“The twin plants – with a combined capacity of 250,000 units per annum – will together account for 8% of Honda’s global needs,” Mr Keir added.
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