HONDA's UK boss bid farewell to the Swindon plant and thanked the thousands of workers who helped keep it running for 35 years.

The closure of the South Marston site marks the Japanese car giant's withdrawal from the UK as it prepares to focus on factories closer to home.

Honda of the Manufacturing UK director Jason Smith said: "Yesterday was a sad day as we brought production operations to a close, but I’m confident our associates share my pride in everything we have achieved during our time in Swindon. 

"I am incredibly moved by the dignity and pride displayed by our associates throughout the last two years. I’d like to thank them all for their continued hard work and dedication in what has been an incredibly emotional time for us all.” 

A specially-made Honda Type-R with paintwork covered in signatures from the factory’s staff on the bonnet and doors plus the name ‘Honda of the UK Manufacturing’ over the front-left wheel arch and a Union Jack emblazoned on the back was on display outside the factory during the last day of production.

 

In the final months of the plant's production, several activities took place including a site-wide visual campaign thanking associates and highlighting their achievements, displays of previous models built at the Swindon-plant, and re-instating the original ‘Rivers of Babylon’ music which is played at the start of each shift.

Ahead of the end of production, Honda has donated STEM learning kits and pre-production vehicles to nearby schools and colleges to help inspire future generations of engineers as part of a bid to maintain Swindon’s engineering heritage. 

In 2019, Honda announced a restructuring of its global car manufacturing operations, which included the ending of production in the UK plant at the end of the current model production lifecycle of the Civic Hatchback. 

In March 2021, Honda said it had sold the site to new-build industrial and logistics facility developer Panattoni.

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser:

Swindon Advertiser: