The Japanese automaker, which employs 3,500 at its Swindon, England, plant, is set to close the site by 2021, two members of Parliament said.
LONDON — The Japanese automaker Honda has become the latest business to make plans to leave Britain as global forces reshape the car industry and the country prepares to exit the European Union.
Honda will close its plant in Swindon, England, which employs 3,500 workers, by 2021, according to a statement from two members of Parliament, Justin Tomlinson and Robert Buckland, who have been in contact with the carmaker.
Honda declined to respond to queries about the move, reported earlier by Sky News. “At this point, we are not able to make any comments regarding the speculation,” the company said in an emailed statement. “We take our responsibilities to our associates very seriously and will always communicate any significant news with them first.”
But in a joint statement, Mr. Tomlinson and Mr. Buckland confirmed media reports about the upheaval and said they were “disappointed and surprised” that the plant would be gone in two years.
“Honda have told us today that they will be consulting with all staff and there is not expected to be any job losses or change in production until 2021,” the lawmakers said in an emailed statement. “All European market production is being consolidated to Japan, where the company is based.” They said production in Turkey would also be affected.
Honda follows other companies that have retrenched in the face of sluggish markets, tougher environmental regulation and challenges from deep-pocketed technology companies that are pursuing electric and autonomous driving cars.
Last month, Ford said it was cutting thousands of jobs across Europe as emissions rules and declining demand ate into its profits. Another American carmaker, General Motors, pulled out of Europe in 2017 after persistent losses in the region.
