The launch of the new CR-V today is the culmination of a GBP267m (US$424m) investment programme into new models and engines at Honda’s Swindon plant in England – the single biggest investment there in over a decade.
The investment has also supported the introduction on the new Civic in December last year and a new 1.6 litre diesel engine which will be launched at the end of this year.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
Honda has recruited 500 ‘associates’ this year taking the total workforce to 3,500. By the end of the year, production at Swindon is forecast to have doubled on last year’s figure, to 183,000 units. The company aims to increase this to 250,000 units annually within 3 years.
Dave Hodgetts, Managing Director of Honda UK, said the investment is good news for the UK balance of trade with 60% of the production going for export.
Honda’s UK plant produces cars and engines for over 60 countries around the world, including Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australia.
Hodgetts added: “This programme underpins Honda’s commitment to manufacturing in Britain and to our UK workforce. It reaffirms the Swindon plant’s position as the cornerstone of Honda’s European operations, as it has been for the past 25 years.”
Honda UK Manufacturing assembles the CR-V, Civic and Jazz. Operations include casting, engine assembly, pressing, welding, painting and frame assembly on the 370 acre site.
Total investment in the facility stands at GBP1.5bn (US$2.4bn).
