What's all this about?
They say the UK car manufacturing business is dead, but that's because people focus on the brands that they consider British - i.e., our established marques that are now overseas-owned. However, not only do said marques still build plenty of cars here, but there are some real success stories for other companies too, like Honda. Its UK manufacturing plant (HUM - we'll let you work out that acronym) has benefited from £2.2 billion - yes, billion - of investment since 1989, with another £200 million poured in recently in readiness for its latest big venture.
Which is...?
The Civic MkX, now in production and with units even shipped to the US ready for sale. The evergreen C-segment hatchback will be built in Swindon by the 3,600-strong workforce for 70 markets around the world, and what could make you more proud to be British than that?
Not voting Brexit? Anyway, what does Honda have to say about it all?
Katsushi Inoue, president and COO of Honda Motor Europe, said: "As we reveal this new Civic, we look forward with confidence as we expand the role of our Swindon manufacturing plant. Honda has made significant investments in this facility and this next step is an important endorsement of the skills and expertise of our workforce. We're also setting out a clear and sustainable future role for HUM, broadening our export markets beyond Europe."
Matt Robinson - 16 Sep 2016