The Japanese car manufacturer is set to close its Swindon branch
Honda is the latest company moving its workforce out of the United Kingdom in the wake of Brexit following reports that the company is expected to announce the closure of its Swindon branch, putting 3,500 jobs at risk.
The car company will keep its main European Headquarters in Bracknell, Berkshire, and will continue operating its UK-based Formula 1 team despite plans to shut its Swindon outpost from 2022, as reported by Sky News.
In response to the news, Conservative MP for North Swindon Justin Tomlinson says Honda’s decision to close its Swindon plant is “based on global trends and not Brexit”.
Swindon voted to leave the EU with polling results of 55 per cent despite several high-tech firms operating in the area.
Automotive companies have been clear of the dangers of a no-deal scenario for their businesses and Honda itself has said in the past that Brexit would cost the company ‘tens of millions of pounds’.
Two weeks ago Nissan abandoned plans to build its new X-Trail Model at their plant in Sunderland, citing the “continued uncertainty around the UK’s future relationship with the EU” as the key factor in the decision. Dyson has also relocated its headquarters to Singapore to cut taxes.
The plan to close Honda’s only EU factory, which produces over 100,000 Honda Civics per year, could be unveiled as early as this week and comes with no clear Brexit deal in place with just over a month until 29 March, the scheduled date of Britain’s departure from the European Union.
