The first shipment of British-built Honda Civics destined for Japan, is due to set sail from Southampton today, three weeks after the company's second UK plant opened in Swindon.

A total of 150 high performance Civic Type-Rs are bound for Japanese showrooms, the first of 5,000 destined for its home market in the next 12 months.

The second phase of Honda's export drive starts in December with the first Civic 3-door exports to the US and Canada followed by shipments of the CR-V in spring 2002. Once Honda's export drive is in full swing, a total of 200,000 vehicles worth £2 billion will be exported, taking 80% of Swindon's total annual capacity of 250,000 cars. (October 2, 2001)