7th October 2009

One of Honda’s most successful cars in Europe has rolled off its new assembly line in Britain.

The production of Honda’s supermini Jazz for European customers has moved from Japan to a plant in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Around 20,000 units of Jazz are expected to be built in Swindon, with the new addition taking the total production at the plant in this financial year to 100,600.

The move also signals a revival for the factory that reopened in June after a four-month shutdown and saw 1,300 workers take up the company’s offer of voluntary redundancy.

During the closure, Honda rebuilt its assembly line and brought in new robots and machinery for the manufacture of Jazz.

Three-quarters of the cars built at the Swindon factory will be for the UK market, while the rest will be exported to 55 countries across Europe and elsewhere, including South Africa, the company said.

Honda’s five-door family car has been hugely successful following a consumer shift towards smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Jazz also accounts for 70% of Honda’s deals under the Government’s scrappage scheme.

Copyright © Press Association 2009

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