Honda has invested an extra cash of GBP 200 million in the Swindon facility. The automaker said that the next generation five-door Civic hatchback version will be manufactured in the Swindon plant for the global market. Honda has already invested nearly GBP 2 billion into the plant in Wiltshire. This move highlights the company's long-term desire to commence a manufacturing plant in the UK.
The Japan-based automaker on Tuesday screened the new Civic prototype version at the Geneva Motor Show 2016. Honda expects the new version to lure the younger community. This is the first time for the automaker to produce the "five-door hatchback" version in the UK. The US market currently has Civic three-door car as well as five-door Civic sedan module.
Jason Smith, director of Hondo UK Manufacturing (HUM) plant, said HUM will focus on exporting the new Civic hatchback module to the entire global market. He added HUM is a credit for the long time effort put by his staffs during the recent period. This decision by the automaker comes amid the Brexit campaign, when the UK market seems less appealing to other automakers, as reported by This is MONEY.
Philip Crossman, Honda UK's managing director, said Honda will carry on with its investment strategy at Swindon unmindful of the June 23 referendum outcome. He continued this new investment plan will create fresh job opportunities in Swindon. Honda UK representatives said that the production of Civic hatchback version has already been started in the Swindon facility for the US auto market and that the complete production is expected to begin in summer.
This new Civic hatchback module is 30mm broader, 130mm longer and 20mm lower than the present version and it is 245mm lengthier than VW Golf and 140mm lengthier than the Ford Focus. The new module is likely to have a beginning price of GBP 17 thousand. The five-door Civic hatchback will contain three engines, which includes two new petrol units, AUTOCAR said.
Meanwhile, American Honda Motor released its sales record for the month of February. The automaker reported sales of 118,985 Acura and Honda cars during the month of February, up 12.8% from 105,466 cars in the previous year month. Honda Division sold 106,212 units, an increase of 14.9% from 92,474 units sold in the prior-year month.
Honda car sales in February increased 17.6% to 57,267 from 48,692 in the same period the previous year. Net truck sales grew 11.8% to 48,945 units from 43,782 units in the previous year period. Total Acura truck sales fell 3.9% to 8,090 units from 8,415 units in 2015 February.
Honda is moving forward with its new investment at Swindon in an aim to boost its global sales. The automaker seems to be unworried about the Brexit campaign and believes in achieving success in its new investment strategy.
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