Swindon Civics for Japan

Honda is to switch 3dr Civic production from Japan to its Swindon plant, according to reports in the Japanese press. The carmaker, which currently makes 4dr and estate Civic models at Swindon, is due to launch the new Civic next month.

Toyko business paper Nihon Keizai claimed the Swindon plant would take on all Civic production and export some 10,000 units a year back to Japan.

Honda is already committed to raising production at Swindon from 100,000 a year to around 250,000, and has invested £450m in a second assembly line which begins production next year.

A Honda spokeswoman could not confirm the speculation. She said the company would be announcing its production plans on September 13, coinciding with the launch of the new Civic.

Honda's Swindon commitment contrasts with pressure from Nissan and Toyota for the UK to adopt the euro.