Honda of the UK Manufacturing (HUM) is Honda’s flagship production facility in Europe and is also a key constituent of Honda’s global manufacturing system which spans six regions globally.
On 21 September, Honda’s CEO Ito stated that Honda must address the needs of customers around the world, by continuing to evolve and develop its global production operation. This global operation reform will see the introduction of initiatives designed to achieve greater local input to better respond to the voice of local customers whilst also taking steps to improve production efficiencies by expanding economies of scales in global sourcing and production.
With these objectives in mind and as part of its global operation reform, Honda of the UK Manufacturing can confirm future production activities.
At Paris Motor Show, on 27 September, Honda Motor Europe’s President, Manabu Nishimae, confirmed the market introduction of two new Civic-based models; the thrilling Civic Type R and the all new Civic Wagon model, an estate version of Honda’s popular Civic five door model. Today, Honda can confirm that both these two new models will be produced at HUM. The Civic five door is already uniquely produced at HUM and is exported throughout Europe and globally. The addition of these two new Civic derivatives to the production schedule at HUM will help to further improve production efficiencies at the plant. Furthermore, as part of Honda’s localisation activities, the development and design of the Civic Wagon has been conducted locally in the European region.
Currently, the Jazz model for the European market is produced by Suzuka Factory in Japan, Honda Automobile Company China (CHAC) and HUM. To benefit from production economies of scale and fully utilizing Honda’s global production resources, the next generation Jazz, scheduled for 2014, will be produced outside of Europe.
The hugely successful European CR-V model will continue to be exclusively produced for the European market at HUM.
These developments come on the back of Honda’s recent announcement of a £267 million investment programme into HUM to support the production of new Civic, new CR-V and a new 1.6 litre diesel engine. These new products are core to Honda’s sales activities in Europe.
Production volume at HUM is forecast to remain unchanged at 182,000 for the financial year ending March 2013.
