Originally Posted by
Des Parrot
Honda make less than 60 diesels per day in Swindon. No factor in the decision.
The UK built 5-door Civic is unique for the Western EU / UK markets. The Global Civic (Japan, China, Thai, Brazil, Canada) is predominantly a common design. By avoiding UK manufactured / styled cars Honda have saved a huge amount in avoiding D&D / Tooling costs, for a relatively low market share (in Europe).
The new Civic is one of 7 vehicles based on their new platform. The Swindon volumes are minuscule in the overall global volume case but the D&D cost was disproportionately high.
For anyone that calls this a shock, the contracts for the Civic21 replacement vehicle were due to be placed with the TierN suppliers in October'18. They have given excuse after excuse why the contracts were 5 months overdue.
For what it's worth I have been working on this vehicle (amongst many others) since March'17, so there's nearly 2 years work gone into the project before Honda have pulled the plug. I've now got to work out how to get recompense for that!
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