Car maker Honda has for the second time in as many months, issued reassurance that its Swindon plant has a long term future.

Honda spokesman, Paul Ormand has said that Swindon will remain the heart and focal point of Honda’s European operations.

Full capacity at the Swindon plant is expected to reach capacity later this year with an annual production of 250,000 cars. This is due in part to an increase in shifts at the factory from three a day to four.

The comments from Mr. Ormand come after Honda chief executive, Take Fukui told press in Japan that he was disappointed that Britain had not changed its currency to the euro. "When we set up the factory in Swindon, it seemed that they were going to join the euro, but because that isn't happening, we may need to come up with other options to supply Europe," Fukui said.

But since then, Honda has been quick to downplay the significance of Fukui’s statement and reaffirm its commitment to production in Swindon.

Archive index | Front page