Production at Honda’s recession-hit Swindon plant is slowly rising again, bosses said yesterday as they unveiled its latest model, the high-performance Civic Type R.
Described as the fastest front-wheel drive car on the planet, Honda said the launch of the Type R had created “a halo effect” around the plant with a new sense of optimism.
Hundreds of jobs have been shed at the massive site at South Marston over recent years as sales went into reverse. Last year it closed one of its two assembly lines as output fell to less than half its capacity of 250,000 cars a year.
But yesterday managers insisted the launch of the £30,000 Type R hot hatch – along with March’s announcement of a £200m investment in the plant – heralded a “new chapter” for Swindon.
Car production at the plant, which dipped to 120,000 last year, will see an “incremental” rise this year with some growth over the next few years as new models are introduced, new model centre division manager Phil Haydon told Swindon Business News.
That will guarantee the jobs of the 3,200 workers at the plant for the foreseeable future, he said. However, the unused assembly line will stay mothballed as the plant switches to making one model when it becomes Honda’s world centre for production of the iconic Civic.
At present the plant makes the CR-V sports utility vehicle as well as the Civic 5-door, Civic Tourer and new Type R. CR-V production is to be moved to a sister factory in Canada within the next couple of years.
Director for manufacturing, engineering and new model Rhys Williams told around 600 white-uniformed Honda associates (workers) gathered at the end of the assembly line for the Type R launch: “Today’s ceremony comes as we look forward with real optimism to a continued bright future for everyone here at HUM (Honda of the UK Manufacturing).
“Back in March we were delighted to announce that our site will become the global production hub for the next-generation Civic five-door, exporting to several key global markets – including the US as well as Europe.
“This is a major milestone. We have been building Civic here for more than 20 years, and it is testament to the knowledge and experience we have amongst our Associates, along with your relentless commitment and effort that Honda Motor Company has chosen to make HUM such a key part of its global production network.
“This new chapter gives us a chance to show, on a global stage, what we are capable of here, and to raise the bar even higher as we continuously strive to improve quality standards further.”
With Fatboy Slim’s Right Here, Right Now blasting out, a short film showing the Type R in production at the plant and then being put through its paces on the test track was shown on a screen which then lifted to reveal three Type Rs – red, white and blue.
Applauding associates then huddled excitedly around the cars they had helped make a reality from the original concept by Honda head office three years ago.
While only around 30 Type Rs will be produced a day – 8,000 over the next 18 months to two years – its role in securing the future of the plant should not be under-estimated, bosses insisted.
HUM managing director Soichiro Takizawa said: “The new Civic Type R is an imperative model for Honda, representing our racing spirit and proving our commitment to innovation and passion.
“We all know that Honda is renowned across the world for quality and excellence. But to exceed the expectations of our Type R customers around the world, we must exceed these quality standards. This means raising the bar even further, going above and beyond the specifications set for this model and building to a new level of exceptional quality.
“We should feel extremely proud to be the only manufacturer of the Civic Type R in the world. Our high standards at HUM have earned us this privilege and I would like to personally thank you for your continued commitment to achieving these standards.”
Mr Haydon said the Type R was “having a halo effect on the rest of the plant. The excitement is palpable.”
A core team of around 150 associates at the Swindon plant worked on developing the car although many hundreds worked on it across different parts of the plant including the paint shop and welding.
While the car’s body is a basic Civic 5-door shell, almost everything else has been re-designed to enhance its performance.
“It goes from 0-60mph in just over five seconds,” said Mr Haydon, “So the build quality has to be exceptional – everything from the brakes and suspension to the seats have to be incredibly high performance.
“The customer base for the Type R is a unique group. These guys are fanatical.”
