Honda dealer calls for public support

Loyal customers are still buying Honda cars and last week saw 23 orders, according to dealer principal Mark Riddiford of Fish Brothers Honda, based in Bridgemead, off the Great Western Way.

Out of that number 15 were new cars with the dealership hoping this trend will continue during the months ahead.

The production line at the Honda factory in South Marston is now closed for four months, but based on the sales figures for January, workers will be encouraged to hear the market is still moving.

“Last year figures were very disappointing with a significant drop-off in sales and enquires,” said Mr Riddiford.

“But it has picked up and last week saw our best takings for the year so far.

“I think everyone in Swindon is aware of what is going on at the Honda factory.

“A lot of people will know someone connected to Honda and it seems customers would rather buy a Swindon-built car rather than that of a German or French-built car.”

The Honda Jazz, the Civic and the CR-V are its three top-selling models.

“We thought 2009 would be a difficult year,” said Mr Riddiford.

“Of course it still may turn out to be that way, but so far we’ve had a positive start. We’re optimistic things will continue.

“We hope people will continue to support the local economy.”

There are a number of offers with zero per cent finance available on the Swindon built models.

Honda says it has also come up with some attractive prices, with car dealers saying it is a good time to buy a new or used car.

The Honda factory will be back producing cars on June 1 and bosses insist the company has a future in Swindon.

As thousands of workers completed their final shifts on Friday before the four-month shutdown last week, the car giant was quick to reassure them that they will have jobs to go back to.

While off work the 4,200 workers will receive their full basic pay for the first two months.

That will then reduce to 60 per cent of pay for the rest of the production shutdown.