Honda Motor Co plans to close its car factory in western England in 2021, the company said Tuesday, in a fresh blow to the British economy as it faces its March 29 exit from the European Union. The Japanese automaker announced the decision, which will imperil 3,500 jobs and
Honda Motor Co plans to close its car factory in western England in 2021, the company said Tuesday, in a fresh blow to the British economy as it faces its March 29 exit from the European Union.
The Japanese automaker announced the decision, which will imperil 3,500 jobs and possibly many more, at a news conference in Tokyo.
Honda’s president and CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, told reporters the decision was not related to Brexit, but was based on what made most sense for its global competitiveness in light of the need to accelerate its production of electric vehicles.
« We still don’t know what sort of changes Brexit will bring at this point, » he said. « We have to wait until we have a better idea about the situation. »
Hachigo said the company would begin discussions with affected workers at the factory in Swindon right away.
