TOKYO/FRANKFURT -- Honda Motor said on Tuesday it will close its U.K. factory in 2021, withdrawing from European auto production altogether, as London's looming exit from the unified market looks set to compound its troubles on the Continent.
The plant in Swindon, west of London, manufactured about 160,000 vehicles in 2018, including the automaker's mainstay Civic -- far below the output capacity of 250,000. The company also plans to halt production of its Civic model at its Turkish factory in 2021, Honda President Takahiro Hachigo said at a news conference.