Honda to North America: Build Your Own Civics

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

Truth be told, North American Honda plants do build the lion’s share of Civics sold in the region. However, last week’s announcement of the impending closure of the automaker’s sole UK facility means a 100-percent locally sourced crop of compacts in the future.

Honda insists the decision to close its Swindon assembly plant in 2021 stems from a cost-conscious production overhaul. While the plant supplied Europe and North America with Civic hatchbacks, declining sales in Europe and a new trade pact between Japan and the EU means importing cars into the region makes more economic sense.

It also means the United States and Canada need to find a new source of Civic hatches and Type Rs come the end of 2021. Head office has a solution.

Speaking to media in Japan, Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo said, “Given our efforts to optimize production allocation and production capacity on a global scale, we have concluded that we will produce the Civic for North America in North America.” Automotive News reports.

The announcement, which is in line with Honda’s push to eliminate excess capacity, seems to confirm that Civic hatch production will come to either Ontario or Indiana. Hachigo made no mention of production levels or specific bodystyles, however; Swindon’s closure coincides with the end of the current-generation Civic’s production cycle, and who knows what Honda has in store for the next generation.

Last year, North American Honda plants built 281,126 Civics, while the take rate for hatch models was just under a third of total sales, AN data shows. Civic sales slipped 13.7 percent in the U.S. in 2018, with 325,760 units sold. In Canada, where the Civic topped the best-selling car list for the 21st year running, demand was stable. Only 25 fewer Civics found buyers in 2018 compared to the previous year.

Swindon isn’t alone in its future mothballed status. Honda also plants to close two plants in Turkey and Japan .

[Image: Honda]

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • FreedMike FreedMike on Feb 25, 2019

    Some rare good news for NA autoworkers.

    • See 10 previous
    • Sportyaccordy Sportyaccordy on Feb 25, 2019

      @FreedMike I did not know one had to support unions... especially the shamelessly corrupt UAW... to support American workers.

  • SoCalMikester SoCalMikester on Feb 26, 2019

    my 98 cx was built in alliston ontario. nice simple car, put together well

  • TCowner We've had a 64.5 Mustang in the family for the past 40 years. It is all original, Rangoon Red coupe with 289 (one of the first instead of the 260), Rally Pac, 4-speed, factory air, every option. Always gets smiles and thumbs ups.
  • ToolGuy This might be a good option for my spouse when it becomes available -- thought about reserving one but the $500 deposit is a little too serious. Oh sorry, that was the Volvo EX30, not the Mustang. Is Volvo part of Ford? Is the Mustang an EV? I'm so confused.
  • Mikey My late wife loved Mustangs ..We alway rented one while travelling . GM blood vetoed me purchasing one . 3 years after retirement bought an 08 rag top, followed by a 15 EB Hard top, In 18 i bought a low low mileage 05 GT rag with a stick.. The car had not been properly stored. That led to rodent issues !! Electrical nightmare. Lots of bucks !! The stick wasn't kind to my aging knees.. The 05 went to a long term dedicated Mustang guy. He loves it .. Today my garage tenant is a sweet 19 Camaro RS rag 6yl Auto. I just might take it out of hibernation this weekend. The Mustang will always hold a place in my heart.. Kudos to Ford for keeping it alive . I refuse to refer to the fake one by that storied name .
  • Ajla On the Mach-E, I still don't like it but my understanding is that it helps allow Ford to continue offering a V8 in the Mustang and F-150. Considering Dodge and Ram jumped off a cliff into 6-cylinder land there's probably some credibility to that story.
  • Ajla If I was Ford I would just troll Stellantis at all times.
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