Swindon, January 27, 1999 - Honda of the UK Manufacturing, Ltd. celebrates the production of the half-millionth British-built Honda car with a "line off" ceremony at its Swindon Plant on January 26, 1999.
The landmark car was produced just six years after the plant was commissioned as a car building facility and follows the cumulative production of 269,261 Civics, 28,750 Civic Aero decks and 201,989 Accord 4-door models. Approximately three quarters of this total have been exported - and currently the output from Swindon accounts for nearly 50% of all Honda cars sold within Europe.

Congratulating the 3000 Associates employed at the plant today, Managing Director Akira Takano said "Through your teamwork, determination and commitment to success, we have developed customer confidence and satisfaction in our products. But your achievements here in Swindon have also been key steps in helping to secure Honda's self-reliance within Europe. Indeed, the plans to invest a further £450 million, including the building of a second car plant, show clearly how Swindon is now more than ever, the key focus of Honda's total strategy in Europe".

Reference:

Between now and 2002 a total of £450 million will be invested in the Swindon Plant as follows...