Honda has announced that it plans to stop production at its plant in Swindon for the months of April and May, because of a collapse in global sales.
Honda has announced that it plans to stop production at its plant in Swindon for the months of April and May, because of a collapse in global sales.
The carmaker, Japan's second-largest, announced in November that the plant would shut during February and March.
The carmaker, Japan's second-largest, announced in November that the plant would shut during February and March.
Honda said that there were no plans for redundancies and that it intended to "safeguard employment" for those workers who wanted to stay.
Honda said that there were no plans for redundancies and that it intended to "safeguard employment" for those workers who wanted to stay.
Earlier on Friday, Honda said that it would cut jobs and production in Japan.
Earlier on Friday, Honda said that it would cut jobs and production in Japan.
No recovery
No recovery
"The European car market is not showing any signs of recovery yet and, therefore, we have to reduce our production output further," said David Hodgetts, director of Honda UK Manufacturing.
"The European car market is not showing any signs of recovery yet and, therefore, we have to reduce our production output further," said David Hodgetts, director of Honda UK Manufacturing.
"We will continue to take prompt and flexible counter-measures to ensure that we can meet these challenges with this severe market situation," he added.
"We will continue to take prompt and flexible counter-measures to ensure that we can meet these challenges with this severe market situation," he added.
The halt in production amounts to 35 working days.
The halt in production amounts to 35 working days.
Honda employs 4,200 people in the UK and exports the Civic to 60 countries worldwide.
Honda employs 4,200 people in the UK and exports the Civic to 60 countries worldwide.
Honda announced earlier on Friday that it would cut 3,100 temporary jobs in Japan and reduce domestic production by 56,000 vehicles, to combat a dramatic slump in global car sales.
Honda announced earlier on Friday that it would cut 3,100 temporary jobs in Japan and reduce domestic production by 56,000 vehicles, to combat a dramatic slump in global car sales.
Rivals Toyota and Nissan have also announced production cuts this week.
Rivals Toyota and Nissan have also announced production cuts this week.
EU business ministers are meeting in Brussels on Friday to discuss ways to help carmakers through the economic downturn.
EU business ministers are meeting in Brussels on Friday to discuss ways to help carmakers through the economic downturn.
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