Honda to double production at Swindon plant

Honda is set to double production of its Car Plant 2 Swindon manufacturing facility to 180,000 units per year.

The firm is aiming to hit the 180,000-unit target for 2012, ramping up to a maximum capacity of 250,000 vehicles within two years. It is aiming to reach production levels achieved before the Japanese earthquake crisis of 2011.

Honda suspends production following earthquake

The Japanese firm has introduced a second manufacturing shift, employing 500 new workers on the second line at the UK plant, taking the total number of employees at the Swindon factory to 3,500.

Production of the new Honda CR-V crossover and the introduction of the company’s new 1.6-litre diesel engine will begin at the Swindon facility this year. The plant currently produces the latest iteration of the Honda Civic and the Honda Jazz.

Honda to build new Civic and CR-V in Britain

Increased production in the UK means the firm will also reduce its exposure to unfavourable exchange rates between the pound and the Japanese yen.

The addition of an extra shift to Honda’s manufacturing strategy and the creation of 500 new jobs is also a boost for the British automotive industry.

Over 35,000 candidates recently applied for 1,000 new jobs at Jaguar Land Rover’s Halewood plant, highlighting the strength and competitiveness of British manufacturing in the automotive sector.

The new jobs created by Jaguar Land Rover will see total employment at the Northwest facility – which builds the Freelander 2 and Evoque models – increase to 4,500, with a three-shift 24-hour production strategy.

Honda suspends production following earthquake

Honda to build new Civic and CR-V in Britain