Japanese car maker Honda is set to close its Swindon factory in 2022 in a move that will put 3,500 jobs at risk.
The firm will announce the closure of its Wiltshire plant tomorrow in a fresh blow to the country's automotive sector amid rife uncertainty surrounding Brexit.
Trade union Unite blamed the potential job losses on Theresa May's 'rigid approach' to negotiations with EU, claiming the threat of no deal had led to 'chaotic Brexit uncertainty'.
The plant is among the biggest employers in Swindon, which voted in favour of leaving the EU, and is currently the firm's only factory inside the EU.
It is the latest blow to hit Britain's car manufacturing industry, with several international firms threatening to close plants amid Brexit reservations.
In December, Nissan announced it would no longer build its X-Trail car at its plant in Sunderland and Jaguar Land Rover recently said it would cut 4,500 UK jobs.
Meanwhile, Ford bosses have warned a no-deal Brexit would be 'catastrophic' and would cost them 1,000 jobs - mainly at its Bridgend plant in Wales.
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Japanese car maker Honda is set to announce the closure of its Swindon car plant in 2022 (pictured), putting 3,500 jobs at risk
The Honda plant in Swindon, Wiltshire is pictured in a file photo from 1998
Bosses at Honda, Britain's fifth largest car producer, recently declared that the UK crashing out without a deal would cost them 'tens of millions of pounds'.
However just six months ago the firm had also insisted it was 'right behind' the Swindon plant and would not move it out of the UK. Des Quinn, Unite national officer for the automotive sector said: 'If these reports are confirmed, this would be a shattering body blow at the heart of UK manufacturing.
'The car industry in the UK over the last two decades has been the jewel in the crown for the manufacturing sector - and now it has been brought low by the chaotic Brexit uncertainty created by the rigid approach adopted by Prime Minister Theresa May.Dave Durston wrote: 'Oh dear!! If This is true it will be devastating to Swindon employment, it's not just the 3500 that work for Honda, there's at least double that amount that work for subsidiary companies that supply part and materials! However, rumours are just that till confirmed.'
Jay Carroll wrote: 'Welcome to Brexit Britain. As a Remainer I take no pleasure whatsoever in being proved right.'
Another said: 'This is bloody awful! I hope the Govt wakes up - puts the national interest above ideology and does everything it can to avoid a no-deal Brexit.'
Ian Howells, senior vice president for Honda Europe, said in September that the firm was 'right behind' its employees in Swindon.
He added: 'The UK forms part of our global network of manufacturing plants, it's not just for the European market.
Japanese car maker Honda is set to announce the closure of its Swindon car plant in 2022 (pictured), putting 3,500 jobs at risk
The Honda plant in Swindon, Wiltshire is pictured in a file photo from 1998Bosses at Honda, Britain's fifth largest car producer, recently declared that the UK crashing out without a deal would cost them 'tens of millions of pounds'.However just six months ago the firm had also insisted it was 'right behind' the Swindon plant and would not move it out of the UK. Des Quinn, Unite national officer for the automotive sector said: 'If these reports are confirmed, this would be a shattering body blow at the heart of UK manufacturing.'The car industry in the UK over the last two decades has been the jewel in the crown for the manufacturing sector - and now it has been brought low by the chaotic Brexit uncertainty created by the rigid approach adopted by Prime Minister Theresa May.Dave Durston wrote: 'Oh dear!! If This is true it will be devastating to Swindon employment, it's not just the 3500 that work for Honda, there's at least double that amount that work for subsidiary companies that supply part and materials! However, rumours are just that till confirmed.'Jay Carroll wrote: 'Welcome to Brexit Britain. As a Remainer I take no pleasure whatsoever in being proved right.'Another said: 'This is bloody awful! I hope the Govt wakes up - puts the national interest above ideology and does everything it can to avoid a no-deal Brexit.'
Workers are pictured here inside the Honda manufacturing plant in Swindon, WiltshireIan Howells, senior vice president for Honda Europe, said in September that the firm was 'right behind' its employees in Swindon.He added: 'The UK forms part of our global network of manufacturing plants, it's not just for the European market.
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